NVOC expects deluge in booster shot seekers post-holiday

THE National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) is expecting a deluge of fully vaccinated individuals who will get booster shots after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

In a televised public briefing, NVOC’s Dr. Kezia Rosario said they do not expect people to troop to the vaccination sites during the holidays.

“We are not yet seeing the surge in the administration of booster shots in the next few days. Because of the holiday season, some are not going to the vaccination sites anymore,” said Rosario.

“Because of the holiday season, some are not yet going to the vaccination sites. They prefer to have it after the holiday season,” she added.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), there are around 19.37 million individuals who are now eligible for booster shots in consideration of the shortened recommended interval between primary vaccines and the booster/additional dose.

Of the 19 million, around 1.2 million have already received their booster/additional doses, according to the DOH.

Under the new policy, booster shots may already be given to adults at least three months after the second dose of a primary two-dose vaccine, instead of the previous six months.

The DOH said at least two months of interval is needed after the primary single-dose vaccine is given, from the previous three months.

Meanwhile, the NVOC said it continues to call on local government units (LGUs) to continue prioritizing the unvaccinated individuals.

“The first priority still is that we need to vaccinate those individuals, who are not yet vaccinated,” said Rosario.

She said it would be better if the LGUs will conduct community-based education and information activities regarding Covid-19 vaccines.

“Many LGUs go to the barangays, puroks, look for the unvaccinated, persuade them, inform them on why they should get inoculated,” said Rosario. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)