Defer 2nd booster shot vs COVID-19
By Nidz Godino
” We can postpone shot for now because a lot of people are not yet getting their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines…we need to prioritize them, ” Infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana advised public not to get second booster shot yet against COVID-19.
At a Laging Handa public briefing, Salvana said its efficacy is still being determined, adding that a lot of individuals do not have yet their primary vaccines and that they need to be prioritized.
“Second, if it will only give a little protection, maybe it’s not that effective and maybe later we can have better vaccines that could be used as a fourth dose… so for now, our recommendation is do not get second booster yet because it’s efficacy is not yet certain,” he explained.
Salvana also said it would be up to the Food and Drug Administration if it will allow administration of booster shots for those aged 12 to 17.
As for the proposals to lift mandatory face mask policy, Salvana said he sees that it will not be implemented anytime soon as face masks are proven to give protection against transmission of virus.
” Wearing face mask is one of the last things we will drop,” Salvana said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has said Philippines is “not yet” seeing the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in general but it is already over with the Omicron crisis.
On Thursday, the Philippines recorded 2,196 new COVID-19 cases bringing the nationwide caseload to 3,646,793.
ISKUP! 