The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday, Aug. 21, said that information about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) antibodies has been taken out of context.
The DOH clarified that vaccine expert panel (VEP) chairperson Dr. Nina Gloriani, during the Laging Handa public briefing on Aug. 16, discussed when the antibodies start to decrease and not how long antibodies from vaccines last.
"Contrary to the circulating posts, Dr. Gloriani did not mention how long antibodies from vaccines last, but of when antibodies start to decrease based on follow-up from participants in the clinical trials," DOH said in a statement.
It pointed out that all COVID-19 vaccines currently being used under the ongoing vaccination program are still under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
"This means that they were given emergency approval based on the interim results of ongoing Phase III clinical trials which in this state of a public health emergency will suffice to apply for and be issued with an EUA," it said.
"Since the vaccines were approved under EUA, and long-term follow-up studies in the trials are ongoing, data on the duration of immunity is subject to updating. Participants of clinical trials are monitored for up to one to two years to generate the complete clinical trial results," it added.
The DOH emphasized that booster shots are not recommended at this time.
"To maximize gains of our current vaccine supply, we need to continuously prioritize those belonging to the high-risk groups including our senior citizens and persons with underlying conditions," it said.