An infectious disease expert encouraged the public not to delay in getting their second dose of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine to immediately protect them against the viral illness.
“Mas maganda talaga to get the second dose on time para iyong full protection natin ay makuha na as soon as possible (It's really better to get the second dose on time so that you can get your full protection as soon as possible),” Department of Health (DOH) Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Edsel Salvana said during a public press briefing on Friday, June 4.
Salvana, meanwhile, said that there is no negative effect in the body if a vaccine recipient missed his or her second dose schedule.
“Ang tinatawag natin na ‘catch-up vaccination,’ ginagawa naman po talaga iyon in practice. Mas maganda pa rin na sundin talaga natin iyong recommendations. Pero kung mahuli nang kaunti, hindi naman po malaking bagay iyon; iepekto pa rin naman iyong ating bakuna (There is this what we call ‘catch-up vaccination.’ But It is still better that we really follow the recommendations. But if you missed the schedule, that's not a big deal; our vaccine will still have an effect),” he said.
“Hindi ninyo kailangan mag-start from scratch ulit kahit na-miss ninyo po iyong actual date ng inyong second dose. Bagama’t mas maganda pa rin na on time para mas mabilis po natin makuha iyong full protection (You don't have to start from scratch if you miss the actual date of your second dose. Although it’s still better to be on time so that you can get your full protection faster),” he added.
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The DOH on Thursday said that around 113,000 individuals were not able to take their second dose on time.
“The most common reasons for such deferrals include: getting sick, getting exposed to someone positive for COVID-19, or undergoing quarantine,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a statement.
“Those who missed their scheduled second dose can still get vaccinated and reminded the public to complete the required doses for full protection against COVID-19, to protect not only themselves but also their loved ones,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.