BORONGAN CITY (PIA) -- As a continuous response to the ongoing health threat of the Coronavirus disease, the Provincial Health Office of Eastern Samar has initiated on July 19 the rollout of the third booster dose of COVID vaccines in the province.

About 1,176 doses of the bivalent Pfizer COVID vaccine or third booster dose are expected to be administered to Priority Group A1 (frontliners, healthcare workers, Overseas Filipino Workers) and Priority Group A2 (senior citizens and immediate family members).

The Eastern Samar Provincial Hospital (ESPH) was the first to rollout the third booster dose in the entire province according to its hospital chief, Dr. Jessica Sabalberino.

However, all  Rural Health Units (RHUs) and district hospitals throughout the province are set expected to begin dispensing the third booster dose.

Based on the initial report of Mark Greg Rodriguez, National/Provincial Immunization Program Coordinator, about 90 individuals from Priority Group A1 have now received their third booster dose, which is still less than half of the 200 targets to be vaccinated in the said priority group.

In an interview by Radyo Pilipinas with Chiradee Claridad, DOH-8 Regional and National Immunization Program Coordinator, she mentioned that the 1,176 doses initial allocation for Eastern Samar is mainly intended for the priority groups A1 and A2 due to their increased risk of contracting the disease.

"Kinahanglan an mga eligible, at least naka 2nd booster dose na hiya four to six months ago, puyde na magpa 3rd booster dose," Claridad said.

(Those who are eligible are required, at least they had their 2nd booster dose four to six months ago, before they are allowed to get their 3rd booster dose)

According to the Department of Health, the third booster dose is an anti-COVID vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant, which is now widespread in communities and is significantly more contagious than other variants. (MMP/SDC/PIA-E. Samar)