THE ADMINISTRATION of Covid19 booster shots for non-immunocompromised minors aged 12 to 17 will be postponed, the Health department said.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said that the Health Technology Advisory Council made a condition that healthy minors will only be given jabs once the booster coverage for senior citizens reaches 40%.

“We were confident sana na after the immunocompromised, sisimulan na ang rest of the 12 to 17 booster. Kaya nga lang po, may isang recommendation ang HTAC na nakiki-bargain kami,” Cabotaje said.

“Ang gusto nila, at least 40% ng first booster ng area ay sa senior citizen. Alam naman natin na mababa ang first booster. Scientifically, may basis sila, pero operationally, nahihirapan kami,” she added.

The country started giving booster shots for immunocompromised adolescents aged 12 to 17 last week.

Cabotaje said that the administration of boosters in the age group has been slow and low, with only 45 children getting boosted in the National Capital Region.

“May operational problems kasi ‘yung paghahanap ng mga immunocompromised.

Tapos ‘yung mga nanay pati ‘yung mga ospital hindi nagko-configure kasi gusto nila na isabay pati ‘yung mga anak nila na hindi immunocompromised,” she said.

Under the guidelines of the Department of Health, immunocompromised youngsters aged 12-17 may receive their first booster at least 28 days after getting their second.