Even if a person is completely vaccinated against COVID-19, it is still possible for a person to get the disease. It is also said that “full protection” can only be given to a person after two weeks (14 days) after being given the second dose of the vaccine.
According to Vergeire, the DOH does not deny a concept of “breakthrough infections” or COVID-19 infection even if an individual is fully vaccinated. However, it is still said to be effective in general.
“‘Yung real-world studies po, nagpalabas na lahat ng bakuna, pati po ‘yung mga ginagamit po natin sa ating bansa, ay pantay-pantay sa effectiveness. Ibig sabihin, it can prevent severe infections and hospitalization,” the DOH official said.
“Hindi pa lang po nakakapaglabas ang ibang mga manufacturers katulad ng Sinovac when it comes to specific variants, kung ano ang epekto nito sa kanila.”
We only have to wait a few days to find out how effective the Sinovac vaccine is when it comes to the various COVID-19 variants that are being discovered.
Some of the more contagious COVID-19 variants have already been found in the Philippines: these were those first discovered in the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, and Brazil.
Also read: DOLE offers bicycles, cellphones offer to vaccinated workers
Fully vaccinated individuals can still be infected
“The bottom line of this would be, lahat po ng bakuna natin, no matter [what] variants are there, naaapektuhan ‘yan yes, oo. Pero meron pa rin naman ring natitira na pagporotekta sa atin,” said Vergeire.
“Let’s get the vaccine, let us not be doubtful, let’s give them their confidence kahit may ma lunakabas na mga ganitong balita, ‘yan pong bakuna ay isa po sa susi para malabanan po natin itong pandemya.”
Meanwhile, the DOH is still studying whether they can recommend providing “booster shots” for Filipino healthcare workers.
He said that the results of the trials conducted there by the United States and the UK are still being completed. It is said that the government cannot say yet what the negative reaction can be from giving booster shots to the people.
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