MANILA – The Department of Health is finalizing the budget for next year’s vaccination program, including catch-up vaccination, and booster shots if needed, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Friday.
“This will entail a budget for catch-up vaccination and booster shots if needed and scoping of second-generation vaccines,” the DOH said.
However, the health department clarified that as of this time, it does not recommend a third dose or booster shots as the majority of Filipinos have yet to receive their coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) shots.
Studies are being done to look at the “real-world effectiveness and safety” of booster shots.
This would include its duration of immunity, its effect on COVID-19 variants of concern, the feasibility of implementation through logistical requirements, and funding and supply negotiations.
It added that the effectiveness and safety of vaccines through real-world effectiveness studies, emergency use authorization, or certificate of product registration from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration are also being considered.
Meanwhile, continuous funding for additional health care workers is being planned in response to the increasing number of COVID cases.
“DOH has also requested additional funding from Department of Budget and Management for the continued salaries of Human Resources for Health (HRH) under the emergency hiring program and budget for additional HRH,” according to DOH.
On Thursday, Malacañang said the government has allocated at least P45 billion for the purchase of booster shots in the proposed 2022 national budget.
The proposed national budget is the largest ever in the country’s history and is worth P5.024 trillion.(PNA)
