Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco T. Duque III led on Thursday the ceremonial booster vaccination for senior citizens and immunocompromised individuals of CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) held at DREAM Zone, Capitol Compound, Batangas City, which is also the designated vaccination site of the province.
“This third shot of Covid-19 vaccine will provide the optimum protection from the virus. It is essential to strengthen the efficacy of the two doses of vaccines received,” Secretary Duque reiterated.
The Covid-19 booster campaign for senior citizens and individuals with comorbidities and immunocompromised started on Monday, November 22, 2021. “This is to enable our elderly population to have an extra vax, and for them to become fully vaccinated and protected against the virus,” Duque emphasized.
He also pointed out that individuals who have received two vaccines can choose which booster shot they prefer depending on the availability of vaccine brands at the vaccination site.Vaccines from Moderna, Gamaleya Sputnik, Pfizer and AstraZeneca have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used as a third dose.
Person with comorbidities and immunocompromised individuals who are eligible to receive the booster shot includes those with immunodeficiency state, people living with HIV, active or malignant cancer, transplant patients and patients under immunosuppressive treatments.
DOH-CALABARZON Regional Director Ariel M. Valencia added that individuals who are eligible for booster doses can have their shot at any vaccination site by presenting their vaccination card and a valid ID.
“Kailangang din na mayroong maipakitang doctor’s clearance bago sila mabakunahan ng booster shot upang masiguro ang kanilang kalusugan,” he added.
A total of 3 million individuals are targeted for booster shots in the region.
As of November 22, 2021, the regional office recorded 884,737 or 79% of senior citizens (priority group A2) are now fully vaccinated from the 1,117,555-target population while a total of 922,318 or 56% of persons with comorbidities received full vaccination from the 1,636,173-target population for priority group A3.
For the whole of CALABARZON, a total of 70% of the eligible population or 11,452,775 individuals need to be vaccinated. There are 7,060,956 individuals who received their first dose and a total of 5,190,892 are now fully vaccinated.|
-BALIKAS News
