By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed yesterday that they are now waiting for the go-ahead of the Department of Health (DOH) if they could begin distributing booster shots for those who have already completed their vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.

According to Lacson, should they begin the distribution, they will follow the protocols set by the DOH with frontline health workers receiving the booster shot first followed by senior citizens and individuals with comorbidities.

“Yes, there are plans to do that, and once we receive the green light we will immediately do that,” Lacson said.

He further added that he is hoping the national government will distribute a bigger number of COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque has earlier approved a recommendation by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) to give additional anti-virus shot to healthcare workers and other priority groups.

HTAC is an independent advisory body created under Universal Health Care Act, “with the overall role of providing guidance to the DOH and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation on the coverage of health interventions and technologies to be funded by the government.”

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, meanwhile, said the Food and Drug Administration must amend the emergency use approval of existing COVID-19 vaccines to allow a booster dose or additional shot.

She said booster doses are given if the protection offered by the vaccine drops over time. (With a report from ABS-CBN News)/DGB, WDJ