MANILA – The vaccine expert panel (VEP) on Thursday stated that immunocompromised individuals or those who belong to the A3 population must present a medical certificate enabling them to obtain their coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) second booster shot.
VEP chairperson, Dr. Nina Gloriani, revealed in a televised public briefing that the rollout of second booster shot or fourth dose may begin any time soon as the final recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council is now with the Office of the Health Secretary.
“Actually, ready na po ‘yung ating NVOC [National Vaccination Operations Center], ‘yung guidelines nila naisaayos na, so, anytime after that maaaring bukas, basta soon for those who are eligible (Actually, the NVOC is ready together with its guidelines, so, it may start anytime even tomorrow or soon for those who are eligible),” Gloriani said.
The NVOC earlier stated that it would prioritize the healthcare workers, senior citizens, and individuals with comorbidities for the administration of a second booster dose.
The eligible groups should present their original vaccination cards for the primary series, their first booster shot card, and one identification card for their scheduled vaccination.
“Medical certificate for A3 kahit na nakatanggap na sila ng first dose na sila ay immunocompromised at may mga conditions na dapat mabigyan ng second booster dose (Medical certificate for A3, even though they have already received their first dose, showing they are immunocompromised and have conditions qualifying them to receive the second booster dose),” Gloriani said.
She added that the vaccine brand of the second booster shot does not need to be the same with that of the first dose.
“Kung anong available sa LGU [local government unit] or sa vaccination sites ‘yun ang ating ibibigay. Actually, we prefer ‘yung heterologous sana na booster kasi alam natin na ang data doon ay mas maganda ang protection na naibibigay ng heterologous (We’ll administer whatever brand is available at the LGUs or vaccination sites. Actually, we prefer heterologous for booster because there are studies showing heterologous booster provides more protection),” she said.
The VEP is still assessing whether a second booster shot should be administered to the generally healthy public.
