VEP submits recommendation to give 2nd booster dose for seniors, immunocompromised –NTF adviser

The Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) has submitted a recommendation to give 4th COVID-19 dose or 2nd booster shot for seniors and immunocompromised individuals, National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa said Friday.

Herbosa said the recommendation was submitted to the health experts and technical advisory group, adding they are waiting for the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

“As of now mayroong recommendation 'yung ating VEP para sa pagbigay ng 4th dose o 2nd booster dose para sa mga senior at immunocompromised. Ito ngayon ay pinasa na sa ating technical advisory group,”  Herbosa said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(As of now, the VEP has a recommendation for giving the 4th dose or 2nd booster dose for seniors and immunocompromised. This has now been passed on to our technical advisory group.)

“Hintayin na lang natin kung maaprubahan ito ng ating IATF para ma-implement na sa susunod na panahon,” he added.

(Let's just wait for the IATF to approve it so that it can be implemented.)

The VEP earlier said that since the immunocompromised receive three primary series of COVID-19 vaccine, their fourth dose may serve as their booster shot.

The Department of Health (DOH) is administering third doses to senior citizens and immunocompromised, while booster shots are given to those who have finished the three to six-month requirement after receiving their second dose.

Herbosa said as of now at least 63.4 million individuals were fully vaccinated, while 10.5 million individuals received their booster shots.

The DOH said it is targeting to conduct the fourth wave of the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” national vaccination drive for senior citizens in the second week of March.—AOL, GMA News