By Pearl Gumapos
Infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvaña on Monday (March 21) said that hybrid immunity, or the protection from infection and vaccination, is the most durable and most effective against COVID-19.
“Iyong tinatawag na hybrid immunity, dalawang klase ito. Nagkaroon ka ng COVID-19 and nagpabakuna ka. Hybrid immunity iyon. Or nabakunahan ka tapos nagkaroon ka ng breakthrough infection,” Salvaña said during the Laging Handa Public briefing.
“Parang na-boost ng natural infection iyong dating pagbabakuna. Kung magkaroon ng isang breakthrough infection, or nagkaroon na kayo ng COVID-19 at nagpabakuna kayo, that kind of immunity is actually the most durable and the most effective,” he said.
However, Salvaña also said that it is still best not to get infected and to get vaccinated.
“The best pa rin is hindi po talaga tayo mahawa, tuloy po tayo magpa-vaccinate, and magpa-boost, ngunit kung magkaroon man ng breakthrough infection, iyong subsequent immunity and protection against infection ay napakalakas,” he said.
He added that there has always the possibility of cases spiking up once again, and that it is still important to use the tools that have helped the community successfully fight COVID-19.
“Sa ngayon, dahil tumataas naman ang level ng ating vaccination, nagiging sapat naman ang proteksiyon lalong-lalo na patuloy ang paggamit ng mga tao ng mask,” he said. – ag
