The Philippines' vaccine expert panel could release its decision on the use of COVID-19 vaccine booster shots next week, its head said Friday as the country struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus Delta variant.
Health experts are looking at the best possible solution to address breakthrough infections particularly among health workers who are most at risk of exposure to the virus, said Dr. Nina Gloriani, who chairs the panel.
Breakthrough infections occur when a fully vaccinated person gets infected with COVID.
"By next week baka magka-desisyon na tayo diyan," she told Teleradyo.
"Hinahanap natin yung pinakamagandang solusyon kahit na medyo kulang pa ang ating bakuna," she added.
Several countries such as the United States, Israel, and South Korea have approved the use of booster shots even though the World Health Organization called for a suspension of such to prioritize less wealthy nations lacking vaccines.
Should the Philippines approve the use of booster shots, health workers would be first in line to receive the jabs according to Gloriani.
Vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday said the government could procure booster shots once the vaccine expert panel makes a decision. He said the government was in talks with at least four manufacturers of booster shots.
“Once they give us the cue that boosters are needed, we will process and arrange the procurement,” he said.
So far, the country has fully vaccinated 14,105,330 individuals, which accounts for over 18% of the Philippines’ target population of at least 77 million people by November this year.
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