No need to modify the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine – Vergeire

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has maintained there is no need to change the government’s immunization program, even with the latest guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO).

DOH Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the nation’s immunization program is aligned with COVID-19 immunization guidelines issued by the United States Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE). WHO.

“We don’t need to stop any vaccination we are currently doing in our country as this is evidence-based and has been presented and discussed with our experts…and we already have proof that this will protect our people” , said Vergeire. said in Filipino during a press briefing on Tuesday.

According to Vergeire, the latest SAGE recommendation provides classifications on who is eligible to receive boosters or extra doses.

Vergeire, however, said the DOH will continue to study the latest recommendations from WHO’s SAGE, and the agency will again consult with experts if any necessary guidelines are issued on who is eligible for additional doses.

SAGE revised the guidelines and recommended prioritizing older adults, young adults with comorbidities, immunocompromised people, pregnant people and frontline healthcare workers for additional boosters.

It is recommended that healthy adults without comorbidities and children and adolescents with comorbidities receive the primary series and early boosters.

The low priority group, comprising healthy children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years, are advised to receive the primary series and booster doses.

The latest DOH data showed that a total of 78.4 million people nationwide are fully immunized, including 23.8 million receiving 1st boosters and 4.4 million with 2nd boosters.

There are 7.2 million fully immunized older people, of whom some 2.9 million have received boosters.

The DOH also reported that 10.2 million adolescents (12 to 17 years old) are fully immunized, of which 1.2 million have been vaccinated, while 5.6 million children (5 to 11 years old) have completed the primary series.