QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in his briefing on Tuesday that COVID-19 booster shots are not yet recommended for the general public.
Nograles underscored that the country just started the roll-out of booster shots for A2 or senior citizens and A3 or those immunocompromised on Monday, Nov. 22.
Meanwhile, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Eric Domingo reiterated that the following priority groups allowed to received additional shot.
“Iyon pong health care professionals at mga nagtatrabaho sa mga ospital, 18 years and above who have frequent exposure to COVID-19. Sila po ay kailangan nating bakunahan kasi sila po iyong laging exposed, araw-araw gumagamot po sila ng may COVID,” Domingo said.
After the frontliners and medical workers, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities are next in line for the booster shots.
“Kasi iyon pong ibang matatanda na at kung immunocompromised, after makatanggap po sila ng kanilang second dose, baka hindi po kasing taas iyong immune reaction na nagkakaroon sa katawan nila,” Domingo cited.
The FDA chief emphasized that senior citizens and those immunocompromised need the additional dose to increase their immune reaction and immune system to become more active.
“And then pangatlo na pinapayagan na po natin, iyon pong 18-60 years old pero may comorbidities na napi-predispose po sila na kung magka-COVID sila ay maging severe at saka mamatay from COVID,” Domingo said.
The FDA cited that booster doses are given based on the prioritization list and is currently not available for the general population.(MCG, PIA-IDPD)
