The Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (PSAAI) cited Wednesday, Feb. 17, the need for the government to intensify information drive to address vaccine hesitancy among Filipinos.
PSAAI President and National Adverse Event Following Immunization Committee member Dr. Rommel Lobo said the information campaign on the government’s vaccine rollout should zero in on the safety and efficacy of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines.
“Makakahabol po tayo kailangan po siguro ng masinsinang paliwanag na ang bakuna na ibibigay ng gobyerno ay ligtas at mabisa para maprevent po natin ang COVID-19 (We can still convince them. Maybe, we just need to explain to them that the vaccine that will be given by the government is safe and effective to prevent COVID19),” he told the TeleRadyo in an interview.
He was reacting to the survey conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) showing that only three out of 10 individuals in Metro Manila are ready to be inoculated against COVID-19.
Lobo explained that each person has different reactions to the vaccines.
“Meron pong iba, nagkakaroon ng simple na side effects, 'yung iba meron pong systemic, 'yung nilalagnat, nananakit ang katawan, namamaga 'yung injection site. ‘Yung iba wala, hindi naman po ibig sabihin na pag walang naramdaman, hindi po nagtake 'yung bakuna (Other have experienced simple side effects, other experienced systemic, like they’re having fever, pain or swelling on the injection site. Others don’t have any reactions, it doesn't mean if you don't feel anything, the vaccine did not take effect.),” he said.
He explained that for those who do not experience side effects, it meant that they "have a good immune response.”
The PSAAI official said the vaccines should be observed for at least 30 minutes after getting the jabs.
“Kung magkakaroon ng serious side effects, lalabas at lalabas po 'yun within 30 minutes of the observation period. (If there will be a serious side effects, it will show within 30 minutes of the observation period.),” he said, citing various studies.
He said those who are asthmatic, hypertensive, and diabetic can be vaccinated as long their medical conditions are under control.
“Pag inaatake kayo ng hika, hindi po kayo babakunahan, iko-kontrol muna ang asthma ninyo, saka kayo baballik pag wala na kayong atake, saka kayo babakunahan (When you’re having asthma attacks, you will not be vaccinated, your asthma will be controlled first and then you can get back, when you no longer have an asthma attack, then you will be vaccinated.)," Lobo said.