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DOH assures primary COVID-19 vaccination still prioritized over boosters


The Philippines will still prioritize the vaccination of the primary dose series against COVID-19 over the inoculation of booster shots, the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) assured Wednesday.

“With the simultaneous conduct of primary and booster vaccination, vaccination sites have been instructed to… ensure prioritization of primary vaccination whenever possible,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a briefing.

Vergeire said this can be done by creating dedicated days, dedicated lanes, and outreach strategies to individuals who have yet to complete their primary series.

The Health undersecretary issued the remark as the Philippines began the inoculation of fully vaccinated healthcare workers with booster doses.

This was echoed by NVOC chairperson and DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje.

“Our primary consideration is still to finish our primary doses. So we urge the different areas not to redistribute existing vaccines from the primary series to the booster series,” Cabotaje said.

“They can use it in exchange, but be rest assured that they will be replenished. So we do not want to be hearing that they lack vaccines for the primary doses,” she added.

She also assured that there are enough vaccines for the booster shots.

Cabotaje also said that while they prefer individuals getting booster shots to receive the doses from the same vaccination site, they may get vaccinated anywhere.

“Preferably, para mas hiyang, and you already know ano ‘yung history. But we will be open to have the vaccination for the booster anywhere as long as you show your previous vaccination card,” she said.

Meanwhile, Vergeire said vaccination sites were also instructed to avoid medication errors and ensure the appropriate recording of booster shots.

“The Department of Health appreciates the individual efforts of all our healthcare workers in our fight against COVID-19. We continue to move forward during this pandemic, wanting to equip our health workers with the necessary protection,” Vergeire said.

She also called on the public to comply with public minimum health standards, reiterating that even fully-vaccinated individuals may still get infected or infect others with COVID-19. —KG, GMA News

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