THE Department of Health (DOH) said it will investigate reports that a hospital based in the National Capital Region gave second booster doses to non-immunocompromised (ICP) frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) and senior citizens.
The Food and Drug Administration-approved amended Emergency Use Authorization states that senior citizens, front-line healthcare workers, and ICPs may be administered with a second booster. The Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) has already completed recommendations for ICPs, but is still reviewing evidence for senior citizens and HCWs.
Hospital management already explained that they unintentionally misinterpreted the guidelines.
The DOH and the National Vaccine Operations Center are currently coordinating with the relevant health care facilities and vaccination sites to prevent a repeat of this incident.
The facility in question have now since returned to administering booster shots to ICPs only.
The DOH continues to encourage the eligible population to avail of the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and the first booster shots. These vaccine have all been proven in terms of safety and effectivity in protecting Filipinos against the severe and critical symptoms brought about by the dreaded disease.