Booster Vaccines Available Nov. 22 to Seniors, Those with Weak Immune System

Here's your guide.

by Pia Regalado

Photo/s: REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo

Senior citizens and people whose immune systems are weakened by their medical conditions can get their third dose COVID-19 vaccines starting Nov. 22, the Department of Health said.

The seniors comprise second priority or A2 while those with medical conditions or the immunocompromised are third priority or A3.

For seniors, the jab is technically called a booster because it involves the general population. For the immunocompromised, it's called the third dose because it's meant to sustain immunity from the first two doses.

According to DOH, these are the individuals who are eligible for third doses under A3 priority:

Those who are immunodeficient
People living with HIV
People with active cancer or malignancy
Transplant patients
patients under immunosuppresive treatments

Phase 1 will cover all A2 and A3-immunocompromised individuals, DOH said. Phase 2 will cover the remaining A3 population.

According to the guidelines, those who received Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna can get the same brand of vaccine as their booster or third shot. They can also get a different brand, depending on which one they got for the first two doses.

Continue reading below ↓

Those who completed the Sputnik V series cannot receive the same brand as booster or third dose for now. They can only get either AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna.

The interval for booster or third dose should be at least six months after completion of two doses.

For those who got the one-shot Janssen vaccine, boosters or third jab should be given at least three months after the initial jab. They can only receive AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna as their booster or third dose.

Continue reading below ↓