The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is closely monitoring the breakthrough COVID-19 cases in the country.
Based on the agency’s data, there are 1,135 cases of COVID-19 infections among vaccinated individuals and 106 deaths as of Aug. 29.
The number of COVID-19 breakthrough cases among those who were partially vaccinated or only received the first dose is 732 where 86 died. 98 cases were recorded 14 days after they received their last dose where five died.
Moreover, 63 were infected among those with unknown dose or timing where 10 fatalities were recorded, while 242 COVID-19 cases were recorded more than 14 days after the last dose with 5 deaths who are, mostly, senior citizens.
According to FDA Director-General Eric Domingo, those who have experienced COVID-19 breakthrough infection are only 0.0017% of the more than 13.8 million COVID-19 fully vaccinated individuals as of Aug. 29.
“When we say that the vaccines offer good protection against severe COVID and death pero they don’t offer 100% protection. Talagang meron pa ring magkakasakit, walang bakuna na 100% garantisado,” he said.
Sinovac holds the highest number of breakthrough infections with 180 and four deaths, followed by AstraZeneca with 47, Janssen with 11 and 1 death, and Pfizer with 4 cases.
However, the FDA reiterated that the vaccine brands must not be compared to one another, especially that they do not have the same timing for the completion of doses.
“We can say that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks and talagang the vaccines are effective and critical to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The agency added that the majority of the infections are recorded from the working age group of 18 to 44 years old.
In relation to this, several experts called on the public not to stop complying with the minimum health standards despite getting COVID-19 vaccinated.
“Maraming kaso ngayon at may variant at hindi pa dapat until magkaroon tayo ng herd immunity, hindi pupuwede, kasi hindi lang bakuna ang panangga lang sa virus, pati minimum public health standards,” vaccine expert panel member Dr. Nina Gloriani said.
Report from Mark Fetalco/NGS-rir
