The City Government of Davao, through the Vaccine Cluster of the Davao COVID-19 Task Force, is just waiting for the logistics needed to start the booster vaccination rollout for priority groups A2 (senior citizens) and A3 (adults with comorbidities).
Booster shots are currently being administered to health care workers at the Almendras Gym and USEP Gym Obrero on Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. open for walk-ins on a first-come-first-served basis. No pre-registration at the vaccination sites.
The Vaccine Cluster, however, said the current priority is administering booster shots to those under the A1 category.
Davao COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson, during the COVID-19 Alert program of 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on November 24, said, “Nagsugod na ta sa atoang health care workers nato sa SPMC and other private hospitals. Katong private hospitals na nasugdan nato katong Seamen’s Hospital and then DMSF or Davao Medical School Foundation. So musunod napud ang mga laing private hospitals ana, hopefully this week or the coming days, para ang tanang health workers ma-booster napud sila (We have started with our health care workers at SPMC and other private hospitals. We have also started at Seamen’s Hospital and then DMSF or Davao Medical School Foundation. Other private hospitals will soon follow, hopefully this week or in the coming days, for all health workers to get boosted).”
Other priority groups, according to her, will be the next in line – senior citizens, persons with disabilities, sectoral, and the general population.
“Please do not flock to our vaccination sites to avoid overcrowding of the area to maintain our minimum health standards,” the Vaccine Cluster said, adding that hospital staff (A1.1 and A1.2) may coordinate with their respective hospitals on whether they will conduct their respective vaccination activities.
A booster vaccination is ongoing from November 22 to 26, 2021 among Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMF) staff and Rapid Action Team (RAT) staff while those under the A1.4 category, those remaining secondary and primary hospitals and infirmaries, are scheduled for December 2 and 3 and December 6 to 10, 2021.
The A1.5 (public health care workers) individuals may coordinate with their respective district health offices for their vaccination schedule while those under A1.6 and A1.7 (free-standing health facilities and closed facilities, health workers not affiliated with any hospital or health facility, and health workers in closed facilities) will be catered to on December 13 to 17 and December 20 to 23, 2021.
Medical students, interns, and allied health students were advised to coordinate with their respective schools.
On the kind of booster vaccines that can be availed of, Dr. Schlosser said vaccinees may have options.
“Gaya ng giingon nako before pwede sya homologous or heterologous. Naay choice ang mga tawo, homologous or heterologous booster (Just like what I’ve said before, it can be homologous or heterologous. People have the choice whether it’s homologous or heterologous booster),” she added.
If one had two doses of Sinovac, he or she can opt for Sinovac as a homologous booster or a heterologous booster such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna.
For AstraZeneca, the same brand will be given to those who want a homologous booster but Pfizer and Moderna are best suited as heterologous boosters. Pfizer-vaccinated individuals may opt for Pfizer or AstraZeneca or Moderna while Moderna-inoculated persons may either avail themselves AstraZeneca or Pfizer boosters.
Gamaleya Sputnik’s homologous booster is not yet ready for implementation but heterologous boosters include AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna.
All COVID-19 vaccine boosters, except for Janssen, require that a person’s second dose be administered six months before taking a booster dose. Janssen-vaccinated individuals may get their AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Moderna vaccines three months after their jabs.
Booster vaccinees must bring their vaccination cards, proof of employment, and SafeDavao QR. For lost vaccination cards, you may request at Teen Center Facility, Pelayo St. (Near People’s Park), Davao City. Bring affidavit of loss.CIO
