Gov't OK on 2nd booster jab not due to potential increase in COVID-19 cases —Palace

Malacañang on Monday said the government's decision to allow a second booster shot is not connected to a possible increase in COVID-19 cases in May.

"The administration of the fourth dose, or second booster shot, of COVID-19 vaccines has nothing to do with the potential increase in cases in May 2022," Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.

"The second booster dose recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration and being planned for by the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center is our scientific response to waning immunity."

Also the acting presidential spokesperson, Andanar said the goal is to reinforce the shield that will protect the public from existing coronavirus variants in the country and also those that "might come in later on."

"Prevention is better than cure," said.

Andanar called on the public to continue observing minimum public health standards such as wearing of masks, washing of hands and following physical distancing.

National Vaccination Operations Center chairperson Dr. Myrna Cabotaje on Sunday said that there are around 66.8 million Filipinos fully vaccinated against COVID-19 so far. Of this number, only around 12 million got their booster shot. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News