DOH studying possibility of including boosters as part of primary vax series

The Department of Health is looking at the possibility of requiring booster shots as part of the primary COVID-19 vaccination series which currently includes one or two doses of a vaccine.

“Pinagaaralan natin ‘yan (We are studying it). We recognize that boosters are very important,” Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said during the Laging Handa briefing on Saturday

“Kasalukuyan tayong nagre-review kung pwede nang i-include ang booster o third dose as part of primary series para makapasok sa offices, sa mga workstations,” she said.

(We are currently reviewing if we can include the booster or third dose as part of the primary series as a requirement to enter workplaces.)

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion proposed that the term "fully vaccinated" be redefined as those who have received a booster dose.

Concepcion had raised concerns about the low booster uptake in the country as he proposed to redefine what a fully vaccinated person is.

The presidential adviser also proposed to require booster cards upon entering enclosed establishments come June.

“We may encourage the need for a booster dose so baka kailangan ng booster card (we may require booster card),” Cabotaje said.

“In the next two to three weeks tignan natin kung ano ang pwede pa natin maisagawa para makumbinsi ang ating mga mamamayan magkaroon ng booster dose,” she said.

(We will see what we can do more to convince our fellow citizens to get a booster dose.)

Wastage

Concepcion also said that there were about 27 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines which are set to expire in July.

Cabotaje, though, did not have the exact figures of how many vaccine doses would expire in July.

To avoid wastage, the Health official said the government would deploy “social mobilizers” in areas with low vaccination uptake.

Cabotaje said social mobilizers would inform communities about the benefits as well as side effects of getting jabbed to convince more people to get vaccinated.

As of April 1, she said that there were about 67 million individuals who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, three million short of the government’s target of 70 million. — DVM, GMA News