MANILA, Philippines — Around 19 million Filipinos are due to receive their booster shots against COVID-19, the National Vaccination Operations Center said Wednesday.
Beginning Wednesday, adults are allowed to get booster doses at least three months after the second shot of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. Recipients of single-dose vaccines can get boosters after two months.
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“With the shortened interval, we expect a lot will be due already for booster doses. Based on our data, around 19 million individuals are already due for booster [or] additional doses,” said Kezia Lorraine Rosario, member of NVOC.
The waiting time was previously set at a minimum of six months for those vaccinated with two-dose jabs, and at least three months for those immunized with one-shot vaccines.
The Philippines has enough supply of jabs, Rosario said. Since February, the country has received more than 192 million COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Latest data showed that over 44.21 million individuals have completed vaccination, while 56.29 million people have received partial protection against COVID-19.
The government has so far administered 1.19 million booster doses. It began giving boosters to healthcare workers, senior citizens and people with weakened immune system in November.
The shorter waiting time for booster shots comes as the Philippines moves to control the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. — Gaea Katreena Cabico