The Department of Health (DOH) warned the public on Tuesday (March 29) about being vaccinated with four to six doses following the reports that individuals have been receiving excessive doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
According to DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, going beyond the recommended doses of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and health experts, violates the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by FDA.
“Kung ano lang po yung pinag-aralang maigi at binigyan lang po ng authorization ng ating eksperto at ng FDA, yun lang po ang sundin natin because beyond that, we cannot assure anymore if it’s still going to be safe for you or if it’s still be going to be as effective in protecting you against this specific disease such as COVID-19,” she added.
Vegeire also confirmed vaccines with amended EUA for third dose or booster shots as safe and effective against COVID-19.
With over 33 million eligible for booster shots, DOH has only recorded 11.8 million who have received the shots. This prompted the department to conduct the special vaccination days in Cebu Province, Cotabato City, and Davao Region that would last on April 1.
In the Laging Handa briefing, National Task Force (NTF) Medical Adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa urged some Local Government Units to voluntarily conduct their special vaccination days as low numbers of booster shots vaccinated in the country might stem a possible surge of COVID-19 cases.
“Possible yun, in fact gusto ko yung recommendation na lagyan daw natin ng deadline na maibigay ang booster para magkaroon ng panahon na icghecheck ang booster shot mo ay updated. Maganda yu para ma-encourage and ma-incentivize ang mga mamamayan na magpa-booster na,” Herbosa said.
“Baka mag-expire lang yung mga bakuna by the end of June…kailangan maubos natin yan,” he added.
Amid extensive vaccination drives in the country, DOH remained consistent in reminding the public to follow health safety protocols as daily COVID-19 cases might reach a total of 670 on April 30 due to negligence.
As of this week, DOH has already recorded an average number of 385 COVID-19 cases or 21% lower compared to last week which was also felt at the Philippine General Hospital in Metro Manila.
“Dito sa PGH, 24 cases nalang ang confined na may positive COVID, pinakamababa, so wala na masyadong bagong COVID cases na nadedetect,” NTF Medical Adviser said. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/VC
