DOH: Rollout of second booster shot for vulnerable groups to begin soon

The distribution of the second COVID-19 booster shot for senior citizens, immunocompromised people, and healthcare workers will begin soon, according to the government on Thursday.

In a statement, the Department of Health (DOH) said the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) was drafting the guidelines for the administration of the second booster dose. 

“The NVOC continues to work over the holiday break along with the regional and local VOCs that are interfaced with local government units to carefully write rollout guidelines for the second booster dose. These guidelines will take into consideration learning experiences to date,” the Health department said in a statement.

“[The] NVOC aims to roll out the second booster for specific populations nationwide as soon as possible. The choice of vaccine brands will be made based on the additional EUA and in careful consideration of operational realities such as cold chain logistics, among others,” it added.

The DOH earlier said the Food and Drug Administration had granted emergency use authorization for second booster dose for these vulnerable groups.

It said the second booster dose will be given at least four months after the administration of the first booster, with the FDA recognizing waning immunity in the specific populations.

“For moderately and severely immunocompromised patients, the second booster could be given earlier subject to the attending physician's assessment,” the DOH said on Wednesday. — VBL, GMA News