Frontline healthcare workers (A1) and senior citizens (A2) can now receive their second booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine.

In a joint statement, the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) said mRNA vaccines such as Moderna and Pfizer are the available second booster doses for the A1 and A2 population.

Earlier, the Food and Drug Administration granted the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the second booster doses for healthcare workers and the elderly.

The DOH, through the NVOC, released Department memorandum No. 2022-0206 outlining the interim operational guidelines on the administration of the 2nd booster dose for senior citizens and healthcare workers.

“This is the moment we have all been waiting for. After careful study and consideration of the best available evidence, we shall now roll out effective immediately the second booster for our frontline health workers and senior citizens,” NVOC chief Myrna Cabotaje said. “This is part of how we fight back against the virus.”

The second booster shot must be given at least four months after the administration of the first booster dose.

“The second booster for our health workers and senior citizens will enhance protection given by the first booster and the primary series against all variants, including the recent Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1. Against whatever variant there is out there, the second booster supports the 4-Door strategy,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Eligible individuals can get their second booster jabs at the vaccination sites in their local government units.

The vaccinees must bring their vaccination cards showing the date of the first booster dose, and a valid government-issued ID.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged all eligible individuals to get their first and booster doses for additional protection against existing and future variants.

Duque also encouraged the unvaccinated to receive their primary series of Covid-19 vaccines. (PNA)