Several groups have condemned the arrest of three youth..
The Department of Health (DOH) has submitted an application for the amendment of COVID-19 vaccines emergency use authorization (EUA) to push a fourth dose for the senior citizens and for immunocompromised individuals.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that this was based on the initial recommendation from the Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP).
“Ito po ay napag-usapan na rin sa all experts group, inaantay na lang po natin, nag-submit na po ang DOH ng application sa FDA para po sa ating amendment ng EUA for this fourth dose. So we will wait for the decision of the FDA on this and after that we will discuss for possible implementation,” Vergeire said.
Senior citizens have mixed reactions over the matter. Some of them disagree citing old age and belief in the effectivity of the first three doses.
“2 taon nako na stroke at matanda na ako, hindi magpapavaccine dahil marami ako napapanuod sa tv sa namamatay," Ernest Noveno said.
“Okay na siguro ang dalawang dose sa akin," Belen de Borja said.
The fourth dose will protect the immunocompromised individuals and elderly against COVID-19 variants, according to the VEP.
“Siguro ipaintindi lang natin na for those immunocompromised may weak na mga immune systems like the elderly ay kailangan pa ng second booster, proteksyon against the variants of concern lalong lalo na sa Omicron na ngayon ay umiikot pa rin,” the head of VEP, Dr. Nina Gloriani, said.
She also said that even if you have booster shots, there is a possibility of being weakened over time.
“Ang virus na ito ay hindi pa po tapos nakita niyo naman nagsusurge pa sa ibang mga countries, nakita niyo naman ang lapit lapit lang sa Hong Kong, sa China, sa Korea, I think sa Thailand meron din. So importante po yung booster,” she added.
Contributed by Thimy Rose D. Noveno
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