Vaccine supply enough for COVID-19 vax 2nd booster for immunocompromised —NVOC

The country's current supply of COVID-19 vaccines would be enough for the second booster shots to be administered to the immunocompromised, the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) on Saturday said.

"Sapat ang supply ng bakuna kontra COVID-19 para sa pagbibigay ng second booster shot sa mga immunocompromised," NVOC chairperson Dr. Myrna Cabotaje said in an interview on Dobol B TV.

(The supply of COVID-19 vaccines would be enough for the second booster shots of those who are immunocompromised.)

"Sapat ang mga bakuna para sa primary doses, 1st and 2nd booster shot," she added.

(In fact, the supply of vaccines is enough for primary doses, first and second booster shots.)

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday said he has already approved the rollout of the second COVID-19 booster shot for immunocompromised persons, based on the recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council.

Duque said these patients include those who have cancer, recipients of organ transplants, and HIV/AIDS patients, among others.

The rollout of second COVID-19 booster for immunocompromised persons is set to begin on April 25 nationwide, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire announced on Friday.

In a separate Dobol B TV interview on Saturday, Duque said the Department of Health will post later on Saturday the list of areas where the second COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will be given.

"Mamaya, ilalabas sa website ng DOH kung saang mga lugar maaaring magtungo ang mga immunocompromised na magpapa-2nd booster shot," he said.

(Later today, the DOH website will post the list of areas where those who are immunocompromised can go to have their second booster shot.)

Duque on Friday stressed however that frontline healthcare providers and senior citizens are not yet covered by the expected rollout of second booster shots next week.

The Food and Drug Administration granted earlier this month the emergency use authorization (EUA) for second booster shots for senior citizens, the immunocompromised, and frontline health frontliners.

The Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) on Thursday said they favor that a heterologous booster or a booster using a different vaccine brand will be administered for specific populations for their second round of booster inoculation against COVID-19. Data has shown that a heterologous booster gives better protection, the VEP said.

Meanwhile, Cabotaje on Saturday said the administration of COVID-19 vaccines via primary doses and first booster shots continues.

"Tuloy-tuloy din ang pagbibigay ng primary doses at 3rd dose," she said.

Cabotaje said at least 12 million have already been given their third dose or first booster shot.

Meanwhile, only 2% of vaccine doses were considered wasted due to expired shelf life and other reasons, she added. —KG, GMA News