By Alec Go
A local vaccine expert on Tuesday (June 8) said there have been no recorded severe COVID-19 vaccine effects among the over six million recipients in the country.
Dr. Lulu Bravo, National Adverse Events Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC) chairperson and Philippine Foundation for Vaccination executive director, said most reported adverse events are minor such as fever and headache.
“Wala kaming nakitang masamang epekto ng bakuna. Walang red flag, walang masamang signal. May nangyayaring adverse events, almost 3% ang reported,” Bravo said, adding that this is “underreported” since adverse events or reactions during clinical trials “go up as high as 30% to 40%.”
Bravo said hospitalization after vaccination is not caused by the vaccine, but by underlying health conditions or COVID-19 infection prior, during, or shortly after vaccination when protection is not yet complete.
“Mayroon ding nagkakaroon ng sakit pero hindi dahil sa COVID vaccine. Iyon ay dahil sa kanilang hindi nagamot na underlying conditions kagaya ng heart disease, diabetes, at altapresyon,” she said.
She said those with underlying conditions should seek medical treatment before vaccination to ensure better results. She added that the vaccine’s “real contraindication” is allergy which is not common.
“Maski na marami tayong sinasabing report na may adverse event, ‘yun naman ay mga minor kagaya ng lagnat, pagsakit ng ulo, pagkakaroon ng sakit ng tiyan, medyo nasusuka o nagtatae. ‘Yan naman ay expected natin,” she said.
Common effects
The expert said the strongest side effect of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine is an increase in blood pressure, which can be addressed using maintenance medicines or anti-hypertensive drugs.
AstraZeneca’s most common effects are fever, chills, and feeling of weakness. These effects were also observed among Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients.
In terms of “very rare” blood clotting with “one in a million chance” of occurring, Bravo said this can also be treated when reported immediately.
“Pangkalahatan ay iyon talagang lagnat at pagtamlay ng katawan. ‘Yan ay expected natin at talagang ipinapaalam natin ‘yan kapag sila ay binabakunahan,” she said. -rir
