(File photo)
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) will apply for an amended emergency use authorization (EUA) for the administration of a fourth dose of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine after discussions with all expert groups are finished, an official said Wednesday.
“Alam naman natin nakapaglabas po ang Vaccine Expert Panel [VEP] ng mga rekomendasyon ukol sa fourth doses o iyong tinatawag na second booster para sa piling populasyon dito sa ating bansa (We know that the VEP made recommendations about the fourth dose or second booster for select population),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a Palace briefing.
She noted the priority groups that experts consider for the fourth dose include the senior citizens and the immunocompromised.
“So, sa ngayon po pinag-aaralang mabuti at kapag nakapagtapos na po ng pag-uusap tayo po ay a-apply ng (that’s being studied carefully and when talks are done, we will apply for an) amended EUA for the fourth doses for our senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals,” she said.
Earlier, VEP member Dr. Rontgene Solante said a fourth dose or second booster may not be needed for the younger population or immunocompetent.
The third dose or first booster may be enough for them as protection against the severe type of Covid-19, he added.
The Covid-19 Vaccination Dashboard showed a total of 137,351,822 doses of Covid-19 have been administered as of March 9. About 10,675,663 of the total doses were given as booster shots. (PNA)
