An adviser of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 on Thursday said the government had yet to consider providing second booster shots to minors aged 12 to 17.
In a “Laging Handa” briefing, NTF adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa said the country’s priority for now was to increase its booster-shot throughput.
“Unahin natin ang prayoridad, mabigay lahat ng primary booster doses sa lahat ng natapos na ng second dose three months or earlier,” he said.
Health and pandemic officials of the country have expressed discontent over the number of Filipinos availing themselves of booster shots.
Of the 137,351,822 Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country, only 10,675,663 were used as booster shots.
The waning demand for booster shots has prompted the government to launch a national vaccination drive that is aimed at encouraging Filipinos to receive additional protection against Covid-19.
The NTF earlier said health workers and vulnerable populations needed second booster shots more than the general public.
The government is eyeing to provide 72.16 million booster doses to Filipinos by yearend. John Ezekiel J. Hirro