IATF Approves Administration of Booster Shots to Deployed OFW’s

Experts are pushing for the nationwide approval of COVID-19 booster shots as studies suggest that vaccine efficacies decrease over time. Health authorities in the Philippines have declared that a third dose is necessary for stronger protection against the virus.

IATF-MEID Spokesperson Restituto Padilla stated that Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), will soon get vaccinated for the third dose after the approval of  IATF to the proposed booster shot vaccination to OFW set to be deployed in 4 months.

Padilla stated during the Laging Handa briefing, “In order to maintain our competitive advantage as well as to protect the much-needed livelihood of our OFWs and seafarers for them to secure foreign deployment and contract.”

However, the vaccination date of OFW’s has yet to be set by the government. He added that general protocols will still be followed upon conducting the booster shot.

Padilla expressed, “If you were vaccinated six months ago or more, that will qualify you for a booster shot. But if your vaccination was just last month, you cannot be given a booster dose.”

The Philippines began to administer COVID-19 booster shots to healthcare workers, earlier this week. They were also given a choice of the brand they wish to get inoculated with depending on the availability of the booster shot in the specific area.

The government started the vaccination drive last March 2020 and reported vaccination statistics of 32.99 million Filipinos to have been inoculated against COVID-19 so far, while 40.92 million received the first dose.

The Department of Health (DOH) stated that the booster shot rollout for the other priority groups will be administered and implemented on a phased approach. Moreover, the government is set to offer COVID-19 booster shots to the general population.