Seniors, persons w/ comorbidities urged to get booster shots

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas urged senior citizens and those with comorbidities to get booster shots following the approval of the national Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).

“Once again, I am requesting our senior citizens and those with comorbidities to get booster shots as allowed by the IATF,” he said in a statement.

The Department of Health (DOH) has already allowed the administration of COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for those belonging to A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (persons with comorbidities).

The vaccine rollout for the two eligible groups already started in Metro Manila last Nov 22.

Based on the guidelines issued by the health department, the immunocompromised individuals who are eligible to receive the booster shots are those with immunodeficiency state, people living with HIV, active cancer or malignancy, transplant patients, and patients under immunosuppressive treatments.

For the eligible population who were vaccinated with Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, and Gamaleya Sputnik vaccines as their primary doses should wait at least six months before getting a booster shot.

On the other hand, individuals who received the one-shot Janssen vaccine must wait after three months before receiving the booster shot.

Meanwhile, Treñas also requested the IATF to allow the vaccination of minors aged five to 11 years old to protect them in case face-to-face classes will be allowed.

“I am requesting the IATF to allow the vaccination of the minors aged 5 to 11 years old so that they will be protected once face-to-face classes are allowed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo City government has been intensifying its vaccine rollout for minors and other eligible population. The city has also started administering booster shots to medical frontliners.

As of Nov 21, a total of 32,063 children aged 12 to 17 years old have received COVID-19 jabs, based on data from the Iloilo City government. (ERS)