The DOH explained why a second dose of COVID-19 vaccine was needed.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday explained the reason why a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was needed after receiving the first dose.
In an online briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that it gave the user the benefit of having the maximum effect of the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to her, the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine — like any other vaccines — could provide an optimal efficacy to users because they could have a certain percentage they can get the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in the first dose.
Citing expert studies, Vergeire said that those who already received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine could still be infected but with less-severe symptoms.
“Kapag po tayo ay nabigyan na ng bakuna hindi po ito gate pass para tayo ay magkaroon na ng complacency. Kailangan pa rin po tayong magkaroon ng minimum public health standards,” Vergeire said.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Philippines has yet to authorize any COVID-19 vaccine candidate for local use.
At least two COVID-19 vaccine makers — AstraZeneca and Pfizer — had already applied for an emergency use authorization (EUA) in the Philippines. Gamaleya Research Institute in Russia was also set to apply.
Meanwhile, the Solidarity Trial of the World Health Organization (WHO) for COVID-19 vaccines was expected to begin by the end of the month or in February.
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