DOH pushes for fourth dose against COVID-19 for senior citizens, immunocompromised

The Department of Health (DOH) has submitted an application before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the amendment of COVID-19 vaccines emergency use authorization (EUA) to include a fourth dose for the senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said this was based on the initial recommendation from the Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP).

“Ito po ay napag-usapan na rin sa all experts group, inaantay na lang po natin, nag-submit na po ang DOH ng application sa FDA para po sa ating amendment ng EUA for this fourth dose. So we will wait for the decision of the FDA on this and after that we will discuss for possible implementation,” she said.

(This has already been discussed in the all experts group, we are just waiting, the DOH has already submitted an application to the FDA for our amendment of the EUA for these fourth doses.)

Meanwhile, several senior citizens have mixed opinions on getting a fourth dose, according to Lei Alviz’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday.

“Oo para sa kalusugan ko na rin (Yes, for my health as well),” Delfin Dalena said.

Adriana Aguilar, another senior citizen, said “Ayoko na, eh baka masama na sa katawan ko. Okay na sa akin ito (I don't want to, maybe it is bad for my health. I am satisfied with at least three shots).”

“Pag-isipan ko muna eh, kasi karamihan kasi willing na sila sa three dose. Ngayon kung may additional na one dose, para sa amin pag-iisipan muna namin mabuti,” Carmen Mendez said.

(I will think about it first because people are willing only for three doses. If there will be an additional dose, I will still think about it.)

The VEP, on the other hand, said the fourth dose will protect the immunocompromised individuals and elderly against COVID-19 variants of concern.

“Siguro ipaintindi lang natin na for those immunocompromised may weak na mga immune systems like the elderly ay kailangan pa ng second booster, proteksyon against the variants of concern lalong lalo na sa Omicron na ngayon ay umiikot pa rin,” the head of VEP, Dr. Nina Gloriani, said.

(Maybe we should just make it clear that for those immunocompromised with weak immune systems like the elderly they still need a second booster, protection against the variants of concern especially with Omicron which is now still prevailing.)

She said other studies have found that even after being inoculated with a third dose or booster, the protection against vaccines still weakens over time.

“Ang virus na ito ay hindi pa po tapos nakita niyo naman nagsusurge pa sa ibang mga countries, nakita niyo naman ang lapit lapit lang sa Hong Kong, sa China, sa Korea, I think sa Thailand meron din. So importante po yung booster,” she added.

(This virus is not over yet. We have seen it surge in other countries, including in Hong Kong, China, Korea, even in Thailand there is also. So the booster shot is important.)

The DOH is currently 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. -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA News