FDA okays 2nd COVID booster for vunerable groups

The Philippine FDA approved a second COVID-19 booster dose for the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and frontline health workers.

This second booster will be administered at least four months after the first, though moderately and severely immunocompromised patients may receive it earlier based on a physician's assessment.

Unlike other countries, the Philippines will also provide an additional booster dose to healthcare workers.

A study indicated that while antibodies decreased significantly five months after a third shot, a fourth dose successfully boosted them again.

The National COVID-19 Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) aims for a nationwide rollout of the second booster shot as soon as possible.

The NVOC will work through the holiday break with regional and local VOCs to finalize rollout guidelines, considering past experiences.

Vaccine brand selection will be based on additional EUA and operational factors like cold chain logistics.