The Department of Health (DOH) asserted that it cannot recommend the giving of booster shots for COVID-19 vaccines despite reports of Thailand’s plan to provide booster shots to their healthcare workers after fully vaccinated individuals acquire COVID-19.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Monday (July 12) all the department’s policies are based on science and evidence, and the safety of booster shots currently has no evidence.
She added that the department cannot recommend the booster shots even for healthcare workers due to one of its principles of vaccine equity.
“Hanggang wala pong ebidensya itong booster shots na ito, bigyan natin ng kumpyansa ang mga bakuna dahil lumalabas naman na sa ngayon ang real world studies na nagpapakita na lahat ng ginagamit na bakuna dito sa ating bansa ay effective sila against hospitalization, against ICU admissions and against deaths,” she said.
In relation to this, Philippine Foundation for Vaccination Executive Director Dr. Lulu Bravo said in today’s Laging Handa public briefing that booster shots must be “investigated, studied, and recommended” by the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“May cellular immunity na kailangan ding obserbahan para masabi natin na maski wala kang booster, kapag mayroon kang ganoong immunity ay posible ka pa ring maproteksyunan,” she said.
Bravo pointed out that there are many factors to be considered before endorsing a booster shot for the vaccine that must be thoroughly reviewed by the health and vaccine experts. Report from Mark Fetalco/NGS-rir
