COVID-19 vax 4th dose rollout seen in late April or early May if FDA approves EUA —NVOC

The rollout of the giving of fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines may be conducted starting late April or early May once the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the emergency use authorization (EUA) of such, the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) said on Saturday.

"Nag-propose na ang DOH [Department of Health] ng EUA for approval ng FDA for a 4th dose. 'Pag naaprubahan ng FDA 'yan within the month, then isasalang na 'yung mga guidelines," NVOC Chairperson and Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(The DOH has already proposed the EUA for a fourth dose for approval of the FDA. Once FDA approves it within the month, then we can start crafting guidelines.)

"Mga last part of April or beginning of May kasi aaralin din naman 'yan ng FDA kung ano 'yung added beneficial effects ng fourth dose," she added.

([Vaccination using the fourth dose] may start in the last part of April or beginning of May since the FDA will still study the added beneficial effects of the fourth dose [of COVID-19 vaccines.])

Cabotaje said the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines is being considered for those who are moderately and severely immunocompromised as well as individuals considered vulnerable to severe forms of COVID-19.

"Nakita sa mga pag-aaral na the fourth dose can be beneficial for people with high risk of severe illness," she added.

(Studies have shown that the fourth dose can be beneficial for people with high risk of severe illness.)

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Wednesday that based on the initial recommendation from the Vaccine Expert Panel, the DOH submitted an application to the FDA for the amendment of COVID-19 vaccines EUA to include a fourth dose for senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals.

Cabotaje on Saturday said one proposal is to have a four-month interval between the third dose and fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but this will still depend on developments on COVID-19, surges, and variants.

She added that the FDA will study what brands will be used for the fourth shot, but admitted that people may be more inclined to pick a brand that is the same as their booster shot or third dose. Cabotaje however said "there might be combinations that may be permitted."

Booster shots

Meanwhile, only 13% or 11.7 million have so far been given booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines, Cabotaje said.

"Simula noong November, kakaunti pa lamang talaga ang nagpapa-booster," she added.

(Since we began giving booster shots in November, only a few have availed of it.)

Cabotaje said the booster shot provides added protection against COVID-19, as proven during the Omicron surge.

Among the reasons why fewer people get booster shots are no sense of urgency, and the thinking that having two doses is already okay since the number of COVID-19 cases is low, she added.

"It [booster] will protect us from future surges," Cabotaje reiterated.

Cabotaje said studies are ongoing regarding the possibility of giving booster shots to minors aged 12 to 17 years old. 

Meanwhile, Cabotaje said based on the latest report, about two million COVID--19 doses were wasted so far due to several reasons — fire, refrigeration problems, or no-show vaccinees. —KG, GMA News