PH to roll out booster shots for all fully vaccinated adults starting Dec. 3
By Currie Cator, CNN Philippines
Published Dec 2, 2021 2:20:00 PM
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 2) — The Philippines will begin administering COVID-19 booster shots to all fully vaccinated adults on Friday, Dec. 3, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday.
The guidelines will be released later in the day, according to the DOH. The government has earlier rolled out booster doses for priority sectors — health workers, senior citizens, and immunocompromised individuals.
The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved booster doses for the general adult population. The vaccine brand combinations recommended were the same as those for the A1, A2, and A3 priority groups.
DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje Cabotaje, who leads the National Vaccination Operations Center, noted the administration of the third shots will not be limited to the A4 and A5 clusters, or the economic frontliners and the indigent population.
“Bale, A4, A5, lahat na ‘yan,” Duque likewise said. “Ang mangyayari lang, [….] mag-aantay tayo depende sa schedule ng ating last dose.”
[Translation: It will be open to A4, A5, everyone. They will only need to take the booster depending on the schedule of their last dose.]
Booster doses for COVID-19 are given at least six months after the second shot, except for the single-dose Janssen vaccine, which will be administered after three months.
CNN Philippines’ Tristan Nodalo and Carolyn Bonquin contributed to this report.
