Immunocompromised individuals will be the first to be given second Covid-19 vaccine booster shots in the country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said on Friday.
In a “Laging Handa” briefing, Duque said the second booster shots could be rolled out as early as next week.
“Ang aking inaprubahan batay sa rekomendasyon ng (HTAC) ay iyong second booster dose para lamang sa mga immunocompromised na mga pasyente,” Duque said,
The health department has listed the following as those in the immunocompromised state eligible for booster shots:
- people in immunodeficiency state
- people with HIV
- people with active cancer or malignancy
- transplant recipients
- patients under immunosuppressives
Duque said the implementing guidelines for the rollout of second booster shots were still being finalized.
The Food and Drug Administration earlier granted six brands emergency use licenses for use as second Covid-19 vaccine booster shots for senior citizens, healthcare workers and immunocompromised individuals.
The country has 67.2 million individuals fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which is equal to 75 percent of the country’s target population. John Ezekiel J. Hirro