The national government rollout of the second booster shot against the coronavirus virus disease 2019 (Covid-19) received positive feedback, mostly from citizens who are itching to get out of the pandemic.
On Tuesday, local government units of Manila, Pateros, San Juan, and Pasig began the administration of the additional booster dose for the immunocompromised sector.
Makati and Valenzuela kicked off theirs on Monday while Quezon City has yet to announce a schedule.
Desiree Co, a Manila hospital worker who is also a cancer survivor, said being on the front-line means they are more exposed to the dreaded virus.
“Sa amin kasi, since front-liners kami, we really need to comply. Okay lang naman sa akin, for protection na din. Alam ko naman na may virus talaga and I need to protect myself since I am a cancer patient din (Since we are frontliners, we really need to comply. I am okay with it since it is for our protection. I know very well that there is a virus and I need to protect myself since I am also a cancer patient),” she said in an interview.
Netizen Grace Bello Sison said some have not even completed their primary doses.
“May second booster na pero ‘yung iba nag-uumpisa pa lang sa (There is already the second booster but others have yet to receive the) second dose,” Sison posted.
Mhalen Salud said her employer requires them to get vaccinated, especially since they already suffered casualties from Covid-19.
“May mga nakaka-usap ako, like taxi drivers na takot pa din magpa-vaccine especially the seniors, kaya ine-encourage ko sila for their safety and their families (I also encounter other persons like taxi drivers who are still hesitant to get vaccinated especially the seniors, but I encourage them for their own safety and their family),” she said.
She said parents she talked to were forced to get vaccinated so they can accompany their children to events and activities.
Earlier, National Vaccination Operations Center chair Myrna Cabotaje said they are targeting to vaccinate 7,000 to 13,000 immunocompromised adults with the second booster shot.
The second booster dose may be given at least three months after the administration of the first booster.
Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik Light, and Janssen have been approved as second booster shots by the Food and Drug Administration.
As of 6 p.m. on Monday, a total of 530,237 in Manila, out of the 1,694,082 with complete primary doses, have the first booster shot.
Netizen Regine Arcenal tagged a friend in her post and enticed her to have a fourth shot.
“MYka Ny Rosales, second booster shot, arat na, haha (second booster shot is available, let’s go),” her post read.
The Philippines’ Asian neighbors, like South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, have also started administering the second booster shot or a fourth Covid-19 jab for the elderly and immunocompromised. (PNA)
