THE Department of Health (DOH) warned the public on Friday, November 12, against providing unauthorized booster shots or additional doses of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines, as well as those making erroneous claims on its necessity.
In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said it would be illegal to give additional doses or booster shots sans approval from the National Government.
"The ones to be held accountable are those that gave these vaccines and those who sourced out vaccines," said Vergeire.
"You are also violating national protocols, which do not include yet boosters in its guidelines," she added.
Vergeire said it would be best if the public will just wait for the government to issue guidelines on booster shots and additional doses.
"We want to remind everybody to wait for emergency use authorization (EUA) and the guidelines from National Government," she said.
The health official also warned groups making erroneous claims that booster shots are highly necessary to avoid resurgence in cases.
"We are calling the attention of these groups giving out such statements. These cause confusion," she said.
"We call on those groups stating these statements to be very careful and cautious. The public is getting confused," added Vergeire.
She stressed that resurgence in cases in other countries was found to be due to having unvaccinated population and not due to lack of boosters.
"We should base our statements on science and be prepared with evidences when we make these statements," said Vergeire.
A booster shot is one given to people whose immune response may have weakened over time, while a third dose is for people who may not have had enough immune response from the first two doses.
According to Vergeire, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still in the process of evaluating the applications for EUAs of vaccine manufacturers.
They include the applications of Pfizer, Astrazeneca, Sinovac, and Sputnik V for their respective booster shots and additional doses.
"They have all applied for EUA. The FDA and the experts are just completing the evidences for evaluation," said Vergeire.
Meanwhile, she said they continue to wait for the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO)-Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (Sage).
She said the Sage recommendations will become additional evidence that will form part of the government's considerations.
"We are waiting for the completed Sage recommendation, which is the last piece of evidence that we need for us to be able to give the appropriate recommendations," said Vergeire.
Asked whether the November 15 target for the start of giving booster shots and additional doses remains feasible, the official said it is uncertain.
"We cannot say when is the specific date on when it will start," said Vergeire. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)