2nd booster shot for senior citizens and frontline health workers only

CHIEF COVID frontliner Mayor Beng Climaco has urged senior citizens and frontline workers to get their second booster shot of vaccine, adding this will further protect them from the deadly respiratory disease.

She also encouraged those who have not received their primary Covid vaccines and first dose to get inoculated. “Vaccines are essential and very important to us all and I urged again those who have not received their jab to go to any of our vaccinations sites. And for our senior citizens and frontline health workers to get your second dose,” she said.

The Department of Health also said the second booster shot is initially available for senior citizens (Priority Group A2) and frontline health workers (Priority Group A1). It said the second booster shot is primarily mRNA vaccines such as those manufactured by Moderna and Pfizer which will strengthen immunity against the virus, including the latest Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1.

Following the earlier grant of an Emergency Use Authorization by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration and recommendation by the Health Technology Assessment Council, the DOH released Interim Operational Guidelines on the Administration of the second booster shot for senior citizens and frontline healthcare workers ages 18 years old and above.

“This is the moment we have all been waiting for. After careful study and consideration of the best available evidence, we shall now roll out effective immediately the second booster for our frontline health workers and senior citizens. This is part of how we fight back against the virus,” said DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje.

The DOH guidelines said the following are under Priority Group A1: Workers in essential health services and all people 60 years old and above; Priority Group A2: Senior Citizens. The vaccines are to be given at least four months after the administration of the first booster dose.

“The second booster for our health workers and senior citizens will enhance protection given by the first booster and the primary series against all variants, including the recent Omicron subvariant BA.2.12.1. Against whatever variant there is out there, the second booster fortifies the defense of health workers and highly vulnerable seniors. Everyone eligible can get the second booster jab done at the local government vaccination sites nearest you. They are safe, effective, and free of charge,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. (Zamboanga Post)