ILOILO – The Department of Health (DOH) has already approved coronavirus disease 2109 (COVID-19) booster shots for healthcare workers beginning Wednesday, Nov. 17. But Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is still waiting for official guidelines.
“Kon magsiling ang DOH nga puede na we will start immediately,” Defensor said.
The first priority would be healthcare workers from the 12 district hospitals and the Iloilo Provincial Hospital followed by frontline government workers, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities.
Four vaccines have been granted an emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as booster shots.
According to FDA Director General Eric Domingo, the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Sinovac shots could be used as homologous vaccines – or using the same type of vaccine for the third shot.
As of Nov. 17, a total of 459,895 individuals or 32 percent of the province’s total target population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
These included healthcare workers – 72,617, senior citizens – 100,495, persons with comorbidities – 119,090, uniformed personnel – 113,518, and indigents – 38,619.
Iloilo has to inoculate 1,448,757 individuals to reach herd immunity./PN