The government is considering a proposal to add booster dose as a requirement for an individual to be considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said.
In a radio interview, DOH Undersecretary and National Vaccination Operations Center chair Myrna Cabotaje said experts are now discussing such suggestion in the hopes of ramping up the country’s booster vaccination drive.
“We are looking at the possibility of adding a booster dose, baka pwedeng fully vaccinated, updated na vaccination para mahikayat ‘yung mga tao. The studies are currently being discussed, ano pa ‘yung puwede nating gawin para ma-encourage ‘yung ang ating mamamayan magpa-booster,” she said.
Presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion earlier pushed to redefine the term “fully vaccinated” to cover those who have received a booster shot. Experts, however, disagree to his proposal saying doing so would be “inappropriate.”
Concepcion also proposed to require the presentation booster cards upon entering enclosed establishments starting June and to set an expiration date on vaccination cards.
“We need this push. Right now there is no danger. The danger is in the next semester when the waning immunity might be felt already. And this is not counting the possibility that new variants might emerge,” he said in a statement.
Only 11.8 million out of 45 million Filipinos who were already eligible for booster shots have so far received an additional COVID-19 vaccine jab, according to the DOH data.
Thumbnail photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
