While the ‘mix and match’ or mixing of different brands of vaccine is rolling in, the Department of Health (DOH) will still study it for the possibility of giving booster shots this coming November.
According to Health Undersecretary and spokesperson Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire, the mixing of different vaccines will still depend on the final assessment of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on the evidence submitted by the DOH All Experts Group (AEG).
In the United States, the US-FDA and the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC) have already approved the ‘mix and match’ of Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines.
COVID-19 booster shots will be given to their citizens aged 65-years and above, 18 years and above, with special conditions.
Meanwhile, Vergeire said that while the local FDA’s permit is not issued, the DOH will still prioritize unvaccinated Filipinos, particularly those in the 12-17 age group.
They are also awaiting the recommendation of the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (WHO SAGE), which is expected this November.
It is said that giving initial doses of the vaccine to those who have not yet received it is still more important than providing booster shots.
‘Mix and match’ COVID-19 booster shot in PH under further study
Here are the recommended booster shots based on the vaccines received by the individuals in the primary series:
| Vaccine Brand | Recommended Booster |
| Pfizer-Biontech | Pfizer-Biontech |
| AstraZeneca | Preferred:Pfizer-Biontech |
| AstraZeneca | |
| Janssen | Janssen |
| CoronaVac | Preferred:Pfizer-Biontech
AstraZeneca |
| CoronaVac | |
| Moderna | Preferred:Pfizer-Biontech |
| Moderna |
Health Technology Assessment Unit (HTAU) wants COVID-19 booster shots for immunocompromised individuals at least 18 days after completing the vaccination.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) aims to vaccinate 9.6 million minors in the 12-17 age group before the end of the year.
This is related to the announcement by Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje that vaccination will begin in that age group even without comorbidities in Metro Manila on November 3 and nationwide on November 5.
The official added that 9.6 million is equivalent to 80 percent of the 12 million youths belonging to such age group nationwide.
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