By NG Seruela
The Department of Science and Technology – Vaccine Expert Panel (DOST – VEP) urged the public to give others a chance in COVID-19 vaccine shots following reports of individuals receiving booster shots against the virus.
DOST – VEP fellow Dr. Nina Gloriani said in a Laging Handa public briefing on Monday (Aug. 16) that they are worried about “equity issues” regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Technically, hindi po kami nababahala [sa mga nagpapaturok ng booster shots], pero nababahala kami sa equity issues,” she said.
“Kapag nakadalawa na kayo[ng shots], bigay na natin ‘yung another extra sa iba na wala pa kahit isa,” she added.
Dr. Gloriani urged the public not to rush the booster shots especially that the vaccines have a given interval.
“Huwag tayong magmadali. Bigyan natin ang mga kababayan natin ng chance na makapagpabakuna rin para ma-achieve natin ang population protection, and ultimately, ang herd immunity.”
In relation to this, Gloriani pointed out that the giving of booster shots for the immunocompromised population is “in discussion.” However, the booster shots are subject to the availability of the vaccine supply.
“Nasa discussion iyan sa all experts group kung sino ang bibigyan, how do we define sino ang immunocompromised. Of course, number one mga elderly, immunocompromised ‘yan. Iyong transplant patients, iyong nag-iinom nga mga immunosuppressive antimetabolite drugs, iyong mga may HIV, iyon pong mga cancer patients na nagki-chemo – so ‘yan po iyong mga titingnan natin pero nakasalalay pa rin nga po sa supply ng vaccine ang ating magiging rekomendasyon,” she said,
“Nakasalalay pa rin sa supply ng vaccine ang ating magiging rekomendasyon [sa booster shots]. Actually, mayroon na pong napag-usapan na talagang ibibigay pero subject to availability ng mga bakunang ito kasi uunahin pa rin po natin na makabuo ng population protection,” she added. -rir
