DOH coordinating with jab hubs after non-immunocompromised got 2nd booster shots
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health said it is coordinating with vaccination centers after receiving reports that second COVID-19 booster shots were administered to health workers and senior citizens during the initial rollout of additional doses for immunocompromised individuals.
The government started giving second booster doses on Monday, but only for immunocompromised adults, as recommended by the Health Technology Assessment Council.
People with weakened immune system include transplant recipients, patients with active cancer, HIV, those undergoing steroid treatments, and are bedridden.
In a statement Tuesday, the DOH said it is looking into reports that a hospital in Metro Manila administered boosters to medical workers and senior citizens who are not immunocompromised.
“Hospital management has explained that they unintentionally misinterpreted guidelines,” the agency said.
“The DOH and the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) are currently coordinating with the relevant health care facilities and vaccination sites to prevent further instances of these events. The facilities in question have now since returned to administering boosters to ICPs only,” it added.
The HTAC is still reviewing evidence for senior citizens and healthcare workers, the DOH said.
Authorities target to give boosters to around 690,000 immunocompromised people to increase their protection against COVID-19 and its variants.
More than 67.4 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Of the figure, only 12.9 million people have gotten booster shots.
A new thread on the Philippines' vaccination program in 2021 in the government's revised objective to reach "population protection." Bookmark our COVID-19 and Vaccination Dashboard for the latest figures on the pandemic in the Philippines. — Main image: The STAR/Michael Varcas, file
The city government of Valenzuela City announces that it is temporarily suspending the use of Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as they wait for more vaccine supplies.
ADVISORY: Pansamantalang inihinto ang pagbabakuna ng Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 vaccine sa Valenzuela habang naghihintay ng karagdagang supply. (????: Valenzuela LGU) pic.twitter.com/j4yO52jgMN
— PTVph (@PTVph) August 7, 2023
Pasig City government announces the schedule of COVID-19 vaccination in the city from July 15 until July 28.
It advises residents that first, second dose and first and 2nd booster shots are available on a first come, first serve basis in its designated vaccination sites.
Among the available vaccine brands is Sinovac for 6 years old and above. It adds that there are no Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines yet for residents age 12 and above.
Schedule ng Pagbabakuna sa Pasig City |07/25/2023-07/28/2023 | First Come, First Served Basis
— Pasig Info (@PasigInfo) July 24, 2023
Tingnan ang material para sa vaccination sites kung saan makakapagpa - 1st at 2nd dose, at 1st at 2nd booster shot; at kung ano ang mga dapat dalhin sa araw ng pagbabakuna
1/3 pic.twitter.com/yqKG0S41CM
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to lead the rollout of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City. — The STAR/Helen Flores
President Marcos will lead the launch of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy of MPC pool) | @helenmflores pic.twitter.com/wbB2An7xgg
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) June 21, 2023
The Department of Health reminds public that they can still avail of the COVID-19 booster and bivalent booster. It reposted an infographic that determines when it is best to get the first two boosters and the bivalent booster.
Senior citizens and frontline health workers may now get their second booster shots, particularly mRNA jabs such as Moderna and Pfizer, the Department of Health announces. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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