Immunity against COVID-19 lowers to a nil level after four months from primary vaccination, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Abdullah B. Dumama Jr said this morning basing on studies of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).
“Samakatuwid, improtante at kailangang makasiguro na lahat ay natapos ang kanilang primary doses ay mabakunahan ng booster dose pagkaraan ng tatlong buwan, upang mapanatili ang bisa ng bakuna. (Therefore, it is important and needed that everyone has done their primary doses and be vaccinated with booster dose after three months to sustain the vaccine efficacy.),” he said in his message during the Davao del Norte PinasLakas Vaccination Launch.
Dr. Dumama explained that immunity goes down by 16 percent from the usual 80 percent after four months, thus he noted as very crucial to get a booster shot three months after the primary dose before immunity is gone after four months.
He also brushed aside fears of the COVID-19 vaccines saying, “these have gone through series of studies already by vaccine experts.”
“Ligtas at mabisa ito laban sa grabe at matinding epekto ng COVID-19. Huwag na sana tayong mag- agam-agam pa. (This is safe and effective against the adverse effects of COVID-19. Let’s no longer be hesitant.),” he said in pitching his public call for vaccination.
He said billions already have been jabbed with COVID-19 vaccine worldwide and not one case has been proven to have severe complications except the usual fever, headache, vomiting “that eventually go away after few days.”
“It is not in any way, napatunayan na may (proven that there is) vaccine-related adverse effect,” he was referring to hearsays on impaired vision, on mental illness, on physical deformities, among others allegedly due to COVID-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dumama said that the PinasLakas is aimed at vaccinating 90 percent senior citizen and jabbing 1st booster dose to 50 percent of the general population.
This target is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to be achieved within his first 100 days in office. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive D. Abangan)
