MANILA – National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Thursday that the same coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine brands used in the first doses given to a recipient would be utilized in booster shots.
Galvez stated in an interview that the interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and the panel of All Experts Group have suggested using the “homologous” immunization method for booster doses.
“Kung ano po ang itinurok natin nung first two primaries ay iyon din po ang itutrok natin na third dose or ‘yung tinatawag natin na boosters (Whatever brand we initially administered in two primaries will be given as third dose or what we called boosters),” Galvez, also the country’s vaccine czar, said.
He added that several hospital managements have already ordered booster vaccines for their health workers.
Sinovac and AstraZeneca doses are the majority of vaccines provided.
“They can be used for boosters and also some of them will be used as a second dose,” he said.
Galvez earlier stated that the government is considering the distribution of Covid-19 vaccine booster doses to priority sectors by November.
The Department of Health (DOH) previously authorized the Health Technology Assessment Council’s (HTAC) suggestion to provide booster doses to fully immunized healthcare workers.
According to Galvez, senior citizens, immunocompromised adults, and those who were vaccinated between March and May will also be prioritized.
The DOH has already begun evaluating emergency use authorization modifications for various vaccine brands that will be used as booster doses.
