Local experts on Thursday (June 10) said there are various factors for COVID-19 case surges in other countries, including the emergence of variants.
This was after recent reports claimed that the Seychelles and some countries with a high percentage of their population vaccinated with Sinopharm are experiencing a case increase.
Dr. Jaime Montoya, Department of Science and Technology -Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) executive director, said COVID-19 variants can also affect vaccine efficacy.
“Ito rin po ay nakadepende rin sa pagsasagawa at pagsunod ng mga mamamayan natin sa minimum public health standards at pagkakaroon ng variants,” he said in the June 10 Laging Handa public briefing.
“Alam naman po natin na bagamat pwede pa rin natin gamitin ang mga bakuna, nakakabawas din [ang variants] sa pagiging epektibo ng ating mga bakuna,” he added.
Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease expert and vaccines expert panel (VEP) member, said a surge can take place when there are several populations that remain unvaccinated.
“For us to really stop the pandemic, ‘yung proportion of population na kailangang bakunahan, dapat 80 to 100%. Dahil if you have a vaccine na ang efficacy between 60 to 70%, you need almost everyone in the population para talagang sigurado kang walang transmission,” he said.
The Sinopharm vaccine was also administered to President Rodrigo Duterte through a compassionate use permit. He has yet to receive his second dose.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved on Monday (June 7) the emergency use authorization (EUA) application for the said product. The government is still studying whether to purchase the vaccine. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-jlo
