Expert panel prefers switching brands for second COVID-19 booster dose

Indviduals get inoculated with AstraZeneca vaccine in a health clinic in Bocobo, Ermita, Manila on Jan. 21, 2022 as part of the government program dubbed as "Resbakuna sa Botika".

The STAR / Michael Varcas

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s vaccine expert panel prefers that a heterologous or a different vaccine brand is given as a second booster, its head said Thursday.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration authorized a second booster shot for senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals, and health workers.

“Hindi kailangan pareho doon sa dati, sa first dose. So kung ano ‘yung available sa local government unit or vaccination sites, ‘yun ang ating ibibigay,” said Dr. Nina Gloriani, head of the expert panel.

(It doesn’t have to be the same vaccine brand as before, as the first dose. We’ll give whatever is available in the local government unit or vaccination sites.)

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/21/2175793/expert-panel-prefers-switching-brands-second-covid-19-booster-dose