Experts will be investigating cases of adverse events following COVID-19 immunization in the country, including the viral post on a vaccinated man who experienced stroke and other complications in Caloocan City.
“Itong naka-post ngayon sa Facebook, pag-aaralan at naka-schedule na ang ating NAEFIC [National Adverse Events Following Immunization Committee] na magkaroon ng pagmi-meeting tungkol dito sa nangyari, April 15 (This incident posted on Facebook will be studied and the NAEFIC is scheduled to meet on the matter on April 15),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
According to the Facebook post of Nicole Omandog Totanis, her father who has diabetes and hypertension got vaccinated with CoronaVac on March 29 in Glorietta Tala, Caloocan City.
“Kinagabihan nang mabakunahan naranasan na niya ang side effects ng bakuna. Nahihirapan huminga, nahihilo, nagsusuka, matinding sakit ng ulo at namulikat din ang dalawang binti [He experienced side effects the night after the vaccination. He had difficulty breathing, headache, vomiting, and leg cramps],” Totanis narrated.
Her father is currently intubated at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Dr. Eric Domingo explained that an individual may experience stroke whether or not they were vaccinated, citing that stroke and heart disease are top causes of death in the country.
“‘Pag ‘yan ay nangyari within 30 days na nabakunahan ka, ire-report ‘yan. Kasama ‘yan sa adverse events reporting natin ta’s titingnan natin kung related siya or co-incidental doon sa vaccination [If that happens within 30 days of vaccination, it will be reported. That is included in the adverse events reporting. We will determine if it is related or coincidental with vaccination],” Dr. Domingo elucidated.
Dir. Gen .Domingo also pointed out that there is no “scientific basis to say that a vaccine can increase the cases of COVID-19 in any locality.”
“Ang mga bakuna po kahit po ang Sinovac ay inactivated virus at ‘di rin po siya nakaka-cause ng COVID-19 [Vaccines including Sinovac use inactivated virus and they do not cause COVID-19],” he said.
Sinovac-developed CoronaVac has yet to begin its third phase of clinical trials in the country. It is currently being used under emergency use authorization (EUA).
Experts have assured that vaccines being used in the country are safe and effective. Hospital directors and healthcare workers were the first to get the shot earlier in March. As of April 8, 922,898 vaccines have already been administered. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-jbb
