The Department of Health has approved the administration of booster shots and additional COVID-19 vaccine shots for healthcare workers, senior citizens, and priority groups by 2022.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III gave the go signal after Health Technology Assessment Unit (HTAU) recommended it on October 13.
Booster shots should be given to medical frontliners and senior citizens within the fourth quarter. Recipients should be vaccinated at least six months after the primary series.
HTAC wanted to push the booster implementation in 2022. Therefore, the same prioritization among eligible groups will be followed only if the A1 to A5 priority groups reach 50% in the primary series.
“The rationale for the set threshold prior to implementation of booster includes ensuring maximum coverage for the primary series as the premature rollout of booster vaccination without attaining acceptable coverage would exacerbate existing inequities,” the HTAC said in the letter.
DOH approves COVID-19 booster shots
The HTAC also wants additional shots for immunocompromised individuals at least 18 days after completing the COVID-19 vaccination.
Meanwhile, the OCTA Research survey showed that 22% of adult Filipinos are not vaccinated.
The survey added 61% or 6 in 10 Filipinos were willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“This number includes the 36% of adult Filipino who were already vaccinated and the 24% of respondents who are willing to get vaccinated” the Octa team said.
In July, a similar survey was conducted by Pulse Asia, which showed that 4 in 10 or 43% of respondents would say “yes” to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Vaccine hesitancy is lowest in the NCR (National Capital Region) at 5%,” the Octa team said.
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