Elderly, immunocompromised remain vax priorities

MANILA – The government will continue to prioritize senior citizens and persons with comorbidities as it expands the vaccination program with booster shots for more sectors.

Presidential Adviser on Covid-19 Response, Secretary Vince Dizon, said Monday the inoculation of the elderly and immunocompromised will always be among the priorities, aside from health workers.

“But, since we have enough [vaccine] supply, sabay-sabay na tayo (we can do it simultaneously),” he said in an interview during a mall vaccination activity in Bacoor, Cavite.

The government continues to urge Filipinos to avail of the primary doses and booster shots once they are qualified — three months after the single-dose Janssen and six months for all other brands.

The second leg of the “Bayanihan, Bakunahan” massive vaccination drive will be held on December 15 to 17 to reach the target for population protection by the end of the year, pegged at 54 million.

Department of Health Assistant Secretary, Dr. Maria Francia Laxamana, said apart from health care workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities, the economic workers and indigent population may now avail themselves of booster shots and additional Covid-19 doses.

Laxamana said the second round of “Bayanihan, Bakunhanan” will inoculate the 12-17 age bracket and administer primary doses and booster shots.

Walk-in vaccinees will be allowed as the three-day drive aims for seven million jabs.

The administration of second doses will also be prioritized this month.

Based on the latest data from the national Covid-19 vaccination dashboard, the Philippines has administered 96,282,497 doses nationwide, with 54,644,780 doses used as first shots, 40,881,035 as second doses and 756,682 as booster shots.