OVER 6.1 million individuals fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are expected to get additional jabs.
Of this group, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said over 1.56 million are frontline healthcare workers, who will be given “booster” shots. The remaining 4.6 million individuals are senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals, who will need a third dose to be fully protected against Covid-19.
Galvez said the National Vaccine Operation Center (NVOC) is expected to announce by Friday the operational details for the administration of the booster shots as well as the third shots. The release of the guidelines this week is in preparation for the expected rollout of the Covid-19 shots on November 15, 2021.
Aside from the methodology of administration of the shots, Galvez said they are also waiting for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revise the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of the vaccines, which will be used as a booster shot or as a third dose.
FDA Director General Enrique “Eric” Domingo said they have received applications from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Sinovac Biotech, and Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology for the modification of their EUA of their respective Covid-19 vaccine.
“They requested that the third dose be included in their regimen or a booster dose,” Domingo said.
“They already sent their available scientific data on this, which is now being studied by our experts,” he added.
The government considered giving “booster” shots amid reports that the efficacy of the existing Covid-19 vaccine waned after a few months.
As for the third dose, its administration was recommended by the World Health Organization for senior citizens and those who are immunocompromised.