While the use of virgin coconut oil (VCO) was proven effective in alleviating mild to moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) symptoms, an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reiterated that this may not be used as a replacement for COVID-19 vaccines.
During the VCO virtual presser held on Friday, Jan. 21, DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya said that the VCO studies were not conducted to replace the existing COVID-19 vaccines.
“Hindi po ito bakuna. Hindi ito dinevelop para maging ka-kompitensya o kamukha ng bakuna. Magkaiba po ‘yan. So hindi po siya pwedeng maging replacement sa bakuna (This is not a vaccine. It was not developed to compete with or to be similar to the vaccine. That’s different, so it can’t be a replacement for the vaccine),” Montoya said.
Montoya likewise reiterated that the vaccination program of the national government needs to continue because the use of VCO cannot “substitute” for the existing vaccines.
He said that VCO is only for patients who have already contracted COVID-19 and exhibiting mild to moderate signs and symptoms.
“Ang bakuna ay ibinibigay para maiwasan niyo ang sakit o para hindi kayo magka-impeksyon. Ang mga pag-aaral na naisagawa po natin so far ay doon sa mga pasyente na mayroon nang impeksyon (The vaccine is given to prevent you from getting sick or to keep you from getting infected. The studies we have done so far are on patients who already have the infection),” he added.
The DOST has conducted two studies in Santa Rosa, Laguna and Valenzuela city to prove the effectiveness of VCO in promoting faster recovery against mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.
The government agency disclosed that both studies were successful and it proved that VCO can be an “effective therapy” in managing the symptoms of COVID-19.