By Pearl Gumapos
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña encouraged Filipinos to trust the science in vaccines last May 26 in a virtual Department of Health Town Hall Session.
“We encourage you to trust the science in vaccines. Rest assured that our utmost priority is this: to make sure that what we do and what we work for will always serve the best interest of the Filipino people. Ang science ay para sa tao,” de la Peña said.
De la Peña said that just like any other vaccine available in the market, the COVID-19 vaccine candidates go through a very rigorous process before they are approved for public use.
“Our experts and ang karanasan nila ay napakahaba nga sa immunization, sa mga clinical trials, sa pag-evaluate ng mga data sa mga clinical trials, at they all follow the principles of science and regulatory reliance in evaluating the available safety and effectiveness data of the COVID-19 vaccine candidates,” he said.
The secretary said the chances of vaccination leading to death or a very severe case of COVID-19 is very low.
“Kung merong bakuna, ‘yan ay nagbibigay ng long term solution and a high chance of defeating the virus. Yung probability na magkaroon ka ng adverse reaction or adverse effects ay napakaliit.”
“Kahit anong bakuna [ay] nag daan ‘yan sa prosesong evaluation. At kapag naaprubahan ‘yan ay guaranteed ‘yung safety at efficacy. Kaya ang pinakamaganda ay kung ano ang available na bakuna ay atin nang kunin,” he added. –rir
