Sinopharm vaccinees may now be boosted

CEBU, Philippines — Recipients of Sinopharm vaccine against COVID-19 may now get their booster shots following the recommendation of the National Vaccination Operations Center.

Individuals who are 18 years old and above, except for pregnant and lactating women, given Sinopharm as primary dose series are now qualified to take a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine booster either homologous or the same brand or heterologous or different brand at least  three months from completion of its primary series.

However, not all other brands can be taken as a booster shot for Sinopharm. The national vaccination operations center only recommended 0.3 ml/dose of Pfizer-BioNTech, 0.25 ml/dose or half of the regular dose of Moderna or 0.5ml/dose of AstraZeneca.

For pregnant and lactating mothers who got Sinopharm for their primary doses, the health authorities are still trying to figure out what brands are safe for their booster shot.

Those that have COVID-19 or have experienced COVID-like symptoms, boosters can be taken after finishing the prescribed isolation period provided that the patient did not have fever for the last 24 hours even without taking antiseptics/fever medications and if one’s respiratory symptoms have also improved.

“Pag tapos ka ng mag-isolate, you can have your booster shot the following day at kung ikaw ay wala ng lagnat,” said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, spokesperson of the Visayas Vaccination Operations Center.

Meanwhile, Loreche is encouraging pregnant and lactating mothers to get vaccinated and boosted following the rise of cases for unvaccinated pregnant women.

“I want our pregnant women to be boosted…A lot of our cases right now na manganganak na and due for delivery are unvaccinated. Please wag kayong mag-atubili, the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society has already given the guidance that it is safe for pregnant women and lactating mothers to be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine,” said Loreche.

Loreche said pregnant women are safe to get the vaccines after the 14th week of pregnancy. If in doubt, they can also consult their doctors for guidance before getting vaccinated or boosted. — FPL (FREEMAN)