Giving 2nd boosters to individuals with comorbidities not recommended yet — DOH

The inoculation of the second booster shot against COVID-19 to individuals with comorbidities and other sectors is not recommended yet, the Department of Health (DOH) stressed Friday.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stressed that under the emergency use authorization, second booster shots are only for senior citizens, healthcare workers, and immunocompromised individuals.

“Dito po sa ating HTAC, wala pa ho tayong nakukuhang rekomendasyon para mabigyan pa natin ang ibang sektor ng populasyon katulad ng ating immunocompromised individuals,” she said at a media briefing.

(As for our HTAC, we have not yet received any recommendation to give the second boosters to other sectors like our immunocompromised individuals.)

“And also dito sa ating mga experts also wala pa rin naman po. Ang gusto po ng ating mga experts further studies so that we can have completed evidence if really we can give the second boosters to the other sectors,” she added.

(Also our experts are not saying anything. Our experts want further studies so we can have completed evidence if we can give the second booster to the other sectors.)

Vergeire issued the remark after an infectious disease expert expressed hope that the coverage of the second booster will be extended to individuals with comorbidities.

However, Vergeire said the country must focus on the giving of the first booster.

“Kasi kapag tinignan ho natin. Out of the eligible 50 plus million.. 15% pa lang po ang nakakareceive ng ating first booster shot,” she said.

According to the Health undersecretary, Region III, Calabarzon, Region V, Region VII, and the Bangsamoro Region have low vaccination rates.

The DOH said that immunocompromised individuals referred to those with immunodeficiency state, HIV, active cancer or malignancy, transplant recipients, undergoing steroid treatment, patients with poor prognosis/ bed -ridden patients, and other conditions of immunodeficiency as certified by physicians.

Meanwhile, individuals with comorbidities or the A3 priority group includes adults aged 18 to 59 with “any controlled comorbidity."

Persons with controlled comorbidities are those who have no symptoms, have stable vital signs, have had no attacks, admissions, or changes in medication for the past three months, and are not currently hospitalized.

Some clinically controlled comorbidities include chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease, cancer or malignancy, diabetes, obesity, chronic liver disease, neurologic disease, and tuberculosis and chronic respiratory tract infection.  —RSJ/NB, GMA News