Some studies show that a third shot of the Sinovac vaccine can be an effective booster shot against COVID-19, an expert said on Saturday (Sept. 11).
In a Laging Handa public briefing, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Vaccine Expert Panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante cited data that showed that two shots of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines became less effective about six to eight months after inoculation.
“May mga data kasi na nagsasabi na iyong nabigyan noong bakuna especially Sinovac, iyong neutralizing antibody, iyong proteksyon bumaba talaga siya after 6 to 8 months,” Solante said.
”Sa ngayon, ang nakita natin iyong pangatlong dose ng Sinovac, medyo maganda naman na makapagpataas ulit sa proteksyon based doon sa mga pag-aaral. So isa ‘yan sa mga priority na kung mga fully vaccinated with Sinovac, sila din iyong pwedeng makatanggap ng pangatlong dose ng Sinovac,” he added.
Some Asian countries that started administering a third shot of the Sinovac vaccine have seen good results in protecting individuals from contracting the COVID-19 Delta variant, Solante said.
The vaccine expert said a recommendation was already forwarded to the Department of Health for the inoculation of booster shots.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained to the public that booster shots have yet to be approved until the majority of Filipinos are inoculated with at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Roque added that the government has allocated P45 billion in the proposed 2022 national budget for the procurement of these booster shots. – Report from PTV News / CF- bny
