The same coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine brands used as the primary doses administered to a recipient will be used as booster shots, National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Thursday.
In an interview, Galvez said the interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) and the All Expert Group panel have recommended the “homologous” vaccination scheme in the administration of booster shots.
“Kung ano po ang itinurok natin nung first two primaries ay iyon din po ang itutrok natin na third dose or ‘yung tinatawag natin na boosters (Whatever brand we initially administered in two primaries will be given as third dose or what we called boosters),” Galvez, also the country’s vaccine czar, said.
Managements of different hospitals have already requested booster shots for their healthcare workers, he added.
The majority of the vaccines administered are Sinovac and AstraZeneca doses.
“They can be used for boosters and also some of them will be used as a second dose,” he said.
Galvez previously said the government is mulling to start the administration of Covid-19 vaccine booster shots to priority sectors by November.
The Department of Health (DOH) earlier approved the recommendation of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) to give booster shots to fully vaccinated healthcare workers.
Senior citizens and immunocompromised adults and those who were vaccinated anytime from March to May will also be prioritized, Galvez said.
The DOH has already started processing the emergency use authorization amendments of different vaccine brands that will be used as booster shots. (PNA)
