The Philippines has started giving a second COVID-19 booster dose for immunocompromised adults.
Nearly 61% of the Philippines’ population have been vaccinated, while about 13 million people have received a first booster dose.
“Because of increasing vaccination coverage, while COVID-19 is still there, in the near future we can consider this as an endemic disease,” Francisco Duque, the country’s health secretary, said.
The Philippines has been cautious with its reopening, despite efforts to revive its economy. With 3.68 million cases overall and more than 60,000 deaths, the country has suffered one of the worst COVID-19 crises in Southeast Asia, although new daily infections have fallen significantly.
In addition to Phillippines, among those that have approved the use of the second booster are South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, hoping to prevent a coronavirus resurgence, particularly among its elderly, as it removes most remaining curbs this week.
Nearly 61% of the Philippines’ population have been vaccinated, while about 13 million people have received a first booster dose.
“Because of increasing vaccination coverage, while COVID-19 is still there, in the near future we can consider this as an endemic disease,” Francisco Duque, the country’s health secretary, said.
The Philippines has been cautious with its reopening, despite efforts to revive its economy. With 3.68 million cases overall and more than 60,000 deaths, the country has suffered one of the worst COVID-19 crises in Southeast Asia, although new daily infections have fallen significantly.
In addition to Phillippines, among those that have approved the use of the second booster are South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, hoping to prevent a coronavirus resurgence, particularly among its elderly, as it removes most remaining curbs this week.
