The Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) vaccine expert panel (VEP) warned Wednesday, May 19, the public against flocking to vaccination sites where their particular brand of vaccine is being administered, citing the continued threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its variants.
VEP chair Dr. Nina Gloriani said long lines for specific brand in jab sites could lead to COVID transmissions.
“Natutuwa naman kami na nakikita namin na marami ng gustong magpabakuna kaya lang wag na lang masyadong choosy, yung pagpila pila sa mga chino-choose nyo baka dun kayo magka-COVID at hindi bakuna ang makuha nyo (We're glad to see that there are a lot of people who want to get vaccinated, but don't be too choosy, instead of getting the vaccine, you might catch COVID for queueing for your preferred vaccine brand),” she said in an interview over TeleRadyo.
She said the public should continue strictly observing health protocols amid the government’s decision to ease the quarantine restrictions.
“Mag-ingat na lang po at makinig tayo, kung ano sabi sa atin na pupunta lang kapag tinatawag na kayo, wag na po nating gawin yung pagpila pila kasi yan po marami tayong variants ngayon (Just be careful and let's listen, we will only go to the vaccination site if we are told to do so, let’s avoid queueing because we have a lot of variants now),” Gloriani said, apparently reacting to reports that physical distancing was disregarded as vaccine recipients flocked to vaccination sites to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The Department of Health (DOH) had reminded the public to first secure an appointment before heading to the vaccination site to receive their COVID-19 vaccine.
Gloriani also cited the need to “update" the current available vaccines because of the emergence of the variants.
She maintained that if the immunity of those who received COVID-19 vaccines goes down a year after the vaccination, then booster shots may be needed to increase their level of protection against the viral disease.
“We hope na longer than six to nine months na meron tayong data ngayon, mga one year at least , pero kung hindi that is when we need the booster pag nakita nila pagnakitang mababa. Ang sinasabi ko parati hindi lang booster, kailangan maupdate ang ating vaccines kasi may mga variants (We hope that longer than six to nine months, we have data now, about one year at least, but if not that is when we need the booster when the level of immunity goes down. What I always say is not just a booster, our vaccines need to be updated because there are variants),” Gloriani said.