The Department of Health in Bicol (DOH-5) has started giving booster shots to young people aged 12-17 in some areas in the region.

Noemi Bron, DOH-5 health and promotion officer, in an interview on Monday said at least 468,746 Pfizer-BioNTech booster doses for this age group are now available.

“Some local government units (LGUs) have started giving the first booster for the said age group. Booster doses or ‘additional doses’ provide complete protection against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and its emerging variants,” Bron said.

In a statement, the DOH-Bicol said those who are eligible for booster vaccination are the immunocompromised, non-immunocompromised, and the rest of the population aged 12-17 years old.

“Immunocompromised ages 12-17 shall be given a booster dose 28 days after the administration of the second dose of the primary dose series while non-immunocompromised and the rest of the population of young people ages 12-17 will be given a booster dose five months after the administration of the second dose of the primary dose series,” the agency said.

Bron also reminded parents to coordinate with their local health centers regarding the schedule of vaccination and to bring their child’s birth certificate and vaccination card.

“All LGUs and local vaccination operations centers (LVOCs) are called to intensify the administration of due booster doses to the eligible populations,” she added.

She also said an additional 130,080 doses were allocated for the Bicol region from the DOH central office.

In Albay, Dr. Nataniel Rempillo, Provincial Health Office chief, said they will start giving booster shots to the 12-17 age group on July 19.

“The booster vaccinations for 12 to 17 years old will be available in the 18 rural heal centers in the province,” Rempillo said. “We are also conducting house-to-house vaccination, some of our LGUs in the province have stationed vaccinators in every barangay to increase the number of inoculation.”

Rempillo said Albay is now ranked No. 2 out of the six Bicol provinces in Covid-19 vaccination coverage.

“As of July 5, 2022, we already reached 79.55 percent coverage. From the 1.1 million estimated 80 percent population, 906,044 were already vaccinated,” he added.

Rempillo said the three (3) Cs – closed contact, closed spaces, and crowded places should also be avoided. Self-isolation and early consultation should also be observed once symptoms manifest.

“On top of these personal practices, the importance of being vaccinated and receiving the required number of booster doses is emphasized. Vaccines are proven effective as shown by the low number of cases to no recorded cases in previous months. However, due to the waning immunity from vaccines, the DOH Bicol also urges the public who are due for booster doses to get their booster shots,” DOH-5 said.

It likewise urged the public to continuously practice the BIDA Solusyon + (Best-fitted mask all the time, Isolate/Stay home when feeling sick, Double-up protection with primary series and booster, Airflow exchange is good). (PNA)