THE Health department said the second booster earlier planned for the immunocompromised was given instead to elderly and front liners.
After the incident, the Department of Health said they are now coordinating with vaccination sites after second COVID-19 booster shots were given to health workers and the elderly when the initial rollout was supposed to be limited to immunocompromised individuals.
The FDA earlier amended the emergency use authorization to include a fourth dose for the immunocompromised persons (ICPs), the elderly, and health workers.
But the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) is still reviewing evidence for the additional jab for senior citizens and medical frontliners, the DOH said.
The health department said it was investigating reports that a hospital in Metro Manila administered second boosters to healthcare workers and senior citizens who were not immunocompromised.
The management of the hospital said it “unintentionally misinterpreted guidelines,” according to the DOH.
“The DOH and NVOC are currently coordinating with the relevant Health Care Facilities and Vaccination sites to prevent further instances of these events. The facilities in question have now since returned to administering boosters to ICPs only,” it said in a statement.
The DOH said those eligible for the second booster shots include the following who have received their first booster at least 3 months prior.
• Those who have immunodeficiency
• Those living with HIV
• Cancer patients (active)
• Transplant recipients
• Patients who take immunosuppressive drugs
• Bedridden patients or those with terminal illness
