The Philippines rolled out its vaccination program against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) last March 1, starting off with healthcare workers, who were on top of the priority list.
However, health experts could not recommend vaccination for certain people due to their age and medical condition, and some should wait for some more time before they could receive the vaccine.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), coronavirus vaccines are not recommended for those below 18 years old, and those allergic to polysorbate and polyethylene glycol.
The DOH also advised that people who had severe allergic reaction to the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine should also not get the second shot.
Based on the DOH Memorandum No. 2021-0099, vaccination of individuals that fall “under the following categories must be deferred and rescheduled until resolution of specific conditions:”
· Individuals presenting with symptoms such as fever/chills, headache, cough, colds, sore throat, myalgia, fatigue, weakness, loss of smell/taste, diarrhea, shortness of breath/ difficulty in breathing, and rashes shall be referred to a physician for clinical evaluation.
“These individuals may be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine only after full recovery from the acute illness as certified by their attending physician based on current management guidelines,” the DOH said.
· An individual with a history of exposure to a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case in the past two weeks. He or she “may be vaccinated only after completion of the 14-day quarantine period.”
· Confirmed COVID-19 patients may be vaccinated after 90 days from the last day of isolation or treatment, regardless of disease severity.
· A recipient of convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19. He or she “may be vaccinated 90 days from the last day of plasma/ monoclonal antibody treatment.”
· Female healthcare workers “who are in their first trimester of pregnancy may be vaccinated after the first trimester.”
· A person who “received any other type of vaccine in the past two weeks should be rescheduled after completion of two weeks interval.”
The DOH said “immunocompromised” individuals “should consult their attending physician or a primary care provider to obtain clearance prior to vaccination for appropriate patient education on the risks and benefits of vaccination.”
· A person “with autoimmune disease, if the patient is in remission.”
· People living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
· Individuals with “cancer or malignancy, if the patient is undergoing or have immediate plans for chemotherapy, or is in remission.”
· Transplant patients, “if the patient is on immunosuppressants or in remission.”
· Individuals who are “elderly, bedridden, in a vegetative state, or with poor prognosis such as those with limited life expectancy of less than six months.”
The following individuals may take the vaccine but “additional precautions must be implemented.”
· Persons with a history of bleeding disorders or currently taking anticoagulants.
· Persons with allergies
Meanwhile, the DOH said that breastfeeding women and individuals “who received immune globulins” may be “vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine.”