By Pearl Gumapos
The public need not worry as no vaccine that kills will be approved, Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) Executive Director Dr. Lulu Bravo said Wednesday (May 19) in the Laging Handa press briefing.
“Walang papayagan na bakuna na nakakamatay. Tandaan po natin ito,” Bravo said.
“Kulang lang tayo sa information. Maganda ang ginagawa ng Department of Health at Presidential Communications Operations Office –‘yung tuloy-tuloy na information dissemination, ‘yung tamang impormasyon ay [maganda],” she said.
When asked about whether brand matters when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines, Bravo said what matters most is the efficacy and the impact a vaccine can have on a country.
“Definitely, the real world impact is much higher than what we will call ‘efficacy’ that is based on clinical trials. Basta’t dumaan sa pag-aaral at pananaliksik, at pumasa sa ating mga eksperto, kapag ‘yan ay sinabi nilang okay sa atin, okay ‘yan,” she said.
Bravo added that it is important to remind the public that there should be no bias or prejudice regarding COVID-19 vaccines as these vaccines undergo thorough research.
“‘Wag tayong patumpik-tupik sapagkat ang kailangan natin ngayon ay tumaas ang ating [pag bakuna] para ma-reach natin ‘yung target natin na 70%. Pag na-reach natin ‘yang target na ‘yan, unti-unting makakabalik tayo sa ating normal na buhay.”
High blood pressure
Bravo said patients must take their medication and ensure that they are not experiencing any symptoms of high blood pressure when getting vaccinated.
“Kung sila ay dati nang may altapresyon, hindi naman bawal na magkaroon ka ng bakuna. Pwede kang mabakunahan. Kaya lang, i-maintain sana natin na ang blood pressure nila ay nasa below 140,” she said.
Bravo said what matters is that patients with high blood pressure are taking maintenance medicine and that getting vaccinated isn’t a bad thing.
“In fact, kailangan nilang magpabakuna kasi ‘yung mga may altapresyon, ‘yun ang may malaking danger or risk na magkaroon ng severe COVID-19,” Bravo said.
Vaccine mixing
Meanwhile, Bravo said vaccine mixing is not recommended.
Bravo said the vaccine’s efficacy may change, either negatively or positively, if it is mixed.
“As of now, we recommend na kung maaari ay huwag mag-mix [ng vaccines], pero may mga dahilan para mag-mix — isa na ang allergic ka, o hindi na available ang first dose,” Bravo said. -jlo
