Members of the Philippine Dental Association, Inc. – Bacolod City Chapter received their COVID-19 booster shots on Friday, November 19, at the Bacolod City Health Office (CHO), following the mandate set by the Department of Health (DOH).
About 30 dentists, including chapter president, Dr. Realeza Ludovice, were inoculated with booster doses as added protection as they continue to provide service to the city amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The booster shots follow the guidelines of a DOH Memorandum on the administration of COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose to priority Group 1A: Essential workers in the Frontline Health Services classified under A1.1 to A1.7.
“We need an additional dose or the booster dose to excite our immune system and to give our body a proper amount of immune response in case the COVID virus will enter our system again,” said CHO OIC, Dr. Edwin Miraflor.
Seven Bacolod hospitals and the Ayala Malls Capitol Central are designated to administer booster doses to the A1.1 to A1.7 group, Miraflor added, while explaining that the DOH will release the guidelines on booster shots by December 6.
“During this time, our senior citizens with comorbidities can avail of the booster dose. Vaccinees can also choose what brand of vaccine they want,” stressed Miraflor.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, for his part, encouraged non-vaccinated residents to take part in the upcoming National Vaccination Day on November 29 to December 1.
“This is one way for us to achieve herd immunity and a safer Bacolod,” he said./WDJ