Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babes” Romualdez said the Moderna’s booster shot undergoing clinical trials is compatible with all COVID-19 vaccine brands.
Romualdez said he was advised by the United States-based biotech company that they are currently conducting clinical tests on the booster shots.
“Itong booster shots pwede natin gamiting maski anong brand. Kung nagpabakuna sila ng ibang brand, pwedeng pang booster nila itong Moderna” (This booster shot can be used regardless of the COVID-19 vaccine brand one initially got), Romualdez said.
Moderna’s booster shot will be delivered to the country by September or October, the envoy added.
Galvez earlier said that the government eyesy to purchase Moderna’s booster shots for COVID-19.
“We found out that Moderna is developing a booster. ‘Yung booster na ‘yun, puwedeng gamitin kahit na Sinovac o kahit na Gamaleya ang ating nauna,” Galvez said during a congressional hearing.
(The booster could be used even for Sinovac and Gamaleya vaccines.)
“Ang balak namin ‘yung P5 million instead na ‘yung bibilhin namin ‘yung vaccine, we might buy the booster already,” he added.
(We plan to use P5 million for the booster instead of the vaccines.)
More than 1.3 million Filipinos have been vaccinated against COVID-19 during the government’s two-month vaccination program.
According to data released by the Department of Health (DOH), as of April 21, 1,562,563 vaccine doses have been given.
Of that number, 1,353,107 received the first doses while 209,456 were given the second dose.
Up to 3,025,600 vaccines have arrived in the country and have been distributed to various local governments in the country.
Pfizer booster shot possibly needed for extra protection
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla recently brought up that those who have already completed 2 doses of their vaccine are more likely to need a third shot.
It can be given half or 1 year after the second dose to provide extra protection especially since there are more contagious variants that are spreading.
But according to the Department of Health (DOH), the World Health Organization (WHO) still needs a recommendation in this regard.
According to the vaccine expert panel (VEP) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), booster shot will also be needed.