The Department of Health (DOH) will start administering a fourth dose or second booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, April 25, but only for immunocompromised individuals.
According to DOH, only immunocompromised persons aged 18 and above are eligible to receive the second booster shot.
Immunocompromised individuals are defined as persons with cancer, HIV/AIDS, immunodeficiency, those who underwent organ transplant, as well as bed-ridden patients.
In the April 23 Laging Handa briefing, DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said the Department is eyeing to give booster shots to up to 13,000 immunocompromised persons.
“Iyong ating fourth dose o second booster ay for immunocompromised lang. So, naka-estimate tayo ng mga around 690,000 na immunocompromised individuals na nakapag-third dose na,” Cabotaje said.
“So, sa first day mga 7,000 to 13,000 ang nakikita nating magpapa-second booster na at ikakasa natin sa buong bansa, depende sa kahandaan ng ating mga bakuna center na mag-implement ng ating second booster,” she added.
AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, and Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines can be used for the second booster shot. – gb