BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Provincial Inter Agency Task Force action officer Atty. Rayfrando Diaz yesterday said that they will be campaigning more for vaccination, following approval of the Department of Health for the rollout of a second COVID-19 booster shot for persons aged 50 and above, and adults with comorbidities.
We welcome this, because those who decided to get vaccinated are the ones requesting booster shots, Diaz said.
We will not focus our vaccination program on those who do not want to get vaccinated, he stressed.
Perhaps, they have no need for it, or they have personal beliefs, Diaz said.
But we will keep on campaigning, and to ensure that vaccines will arrive in areas where it is demanded, Diaz said.
In a statement, the DOH said COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna would be used for the second booster dose. It should be given at least four months after the first booster.
The DOH also said eligible individuals will only need to present their vaccination card and a valid ID to receive the second booster dose.
A medical certificate will no longer be required for people with comorbidities as doctors at the vaccination site are authorized to assess and decide on such cases.
Diaz revealed that they are receiving many offers to donate COVID-19 vaccines. But he said they will have to utilize “stocks at hand.”
“We cannot accept more than what we need” Diaz said, adding that it will be unfair to other areas who may need it.
If we have unutilized supplies, we will be pressed to improve and increase our capacity. We have to buy new ultra-freezers and other equipment that would entail government expenditures, he further said.*
