Enhance Protection: Booster Shot Philippines Guidelines

The government started its first day of delivering the second COVID booster injection, signaling a continued effort to battle the illness that is still incurable. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an emergency use authorization (EUA) for second booster doses against COVID on April 13, according to the Department of Health.

Booster dose shots in PH

As of April 18, statistics from the National COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard showed that 66, 990, 999 Filipinos have already gotten two doses of the COVID vaccine while a total of 12, 970, 445 Filipinos had gotten a booster dosage, making them completely protected against the disease.

According to the Department of Health or DOH, 46.8 million people are eligible for a booster vaccination in the Philippines, which offers an extra layer of protection when vaccine effectiveness declines.

1st rollout: immunocompromised individuals (aged 18 and above)

Only those who are immunocompromised and aged 18 years old and above were included in the first rollout of the fourth dosage last April 25, 2022, which is also known as the second booster injection.

According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, people who were eligible for the 1st rollout of the second booster injection include:

• Cancer patients
• HIV/AIDS patients
• Patients taking medicines for immunosuppressives
• Patients with primary immunodeficiencies
• Patients who underwent organ transplants

According to the Department of Health or DOH and the National Vaccination Operations Center or NVOC, six (6) vaccine brands have been authorized for use in the delivery of the second booster shot, namely:

• AstraZeneca
• Janssen
• Moderna
• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Sinovac
• Sputnik Light

Myrna Cabotaje, who heads up the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) and is also an undersecretary for health, said the government's vaccine expert panel (VEP) had recommended the use of another type of vaccine as the "more effective" second booster dose for COVID-19.

As a second booster dose, she recommended a different vaccination brand, but she made it clear that this was merely a recommendation at this time.

Approximately 690,000 people in the nation have already gotten their first booster injection for immunocompromised individuals.

2nd rollout: Frontline healthcare workers (A1) and senior citizens (A2)

Priority Group A2 (senior persons) and frontline health workers (Priority Group A1) were also made eligible for a second booster injection last May 18, 2022, especially mRNA vaccines such as Moderna and Pfizer, to increase their immunity against the COVID-19 virus, including the newest Omicron subvariant BA2.2.12.1.

DM No. 2022-0206 or the Interim Operational Guidelines on the Administration of 2nd COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses to Senior Citizens and Frontline Healthcare Workers ages 18 Years Old and Above was published by DOH via the National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) following the earlier grant of an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by Philippine Food and Drug Administration and a positive recommendation by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).

The Department of Health has established recommendations for the administration of second booster doses for those aged 18 and over who are members of Priority Group A1: Workers in Essential Health Services and those aged 60 and over (Priority Group A2: Senior Citizens). After the first booster dosage, Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines will be utilized, which must be administered at least four (4) months later.

The second booster for the healthcare workers and seniors will improve the protection provided by the first booster and the main series against all variations, including the latest Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1.

According to DOH, the second booster bolsters the 4-Door approach in the face of any other variants out there. It strengthens the defenses of healthcare personnel and elderly people who are particularly susceptible. Everyone who qualifies for a second booster shot may acquire one at one of the LGU immunization clinics near them. DOH also reiterates that getting these boosters is risk-free and there is no cost to using them.

How many months before I can have my second booster shot?

The second booster dosage should be given four months following the first booster injection, according to the Department of Health.

On the other hand, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the second booster may be given early in moderately and severely immunocompromised individuals, depending on the doctor's evaluation. As a matter of fact, the fourth dosage of COVID-19 may be given to immunocompromised patients as early as three months following the first booster dose of COVID 19.

In which places in the country is it available?

If the Regional and Local Vaccination Operation Centers (RVOC/LVOCs), implementation units, and vaccination sites are ready, the administration of second booster doses to eligible persons will be done concurrently throughout the country.

Only a valid government-issued ID and a vaccination card with the date of the first booster dosage are required for you to get your second booster shot.

New Omicron variant in PH

A case of COVID-19 subvariant Omicron BA.4 has been found in the Philippines last May 21, 2022, according to the Department of Health. This Omicron subvariant that was recently found in the country is being tagged as another variant of concern meaning there's a possibility that the virus spread faster.

Although most parts of the country these days have more relaxed community quarantine restrictions and foreign tourists are once again allowed to visit and travel in our country, everyone is still advised to follow the minimum health protocol being implemented by the government for everybody's safety.

It is much safer not to mention more convenient to get your 2nd booster shot if the centers or government health facilities are closer to your home.

Lumina Homes residents and future homeowners won't have to worry about the long travel time and longer exposure to the crowd or public because of its proximity to government buildings and health facilities.

Getting their second booster shots or even your primary doses is less of a hassle, thanks to the shuttle service that every Lumina Homes community has that lets you to have a point-to point service ride to and fro the subdivision.

Our communities are also great for senior citizens because of its proximity to essential facilities and infrastructures such as the local public market, churches, grocery stores, supermarkets, and shopping malls.

They can also easily access and process their government documents since the community is just a few minutes away from these establishments.

Make your home reservations now and enjoy the greener and healthier lifestyle with Lumina Homes through its great amenities such as a community garden, jogging path, and multipurpose hall-- giving its residents and future homeowners the encouragement to live an active and healthy life!