Solon bats for fourth jab amid threat of Omicron variant
Instead of just one booster shot, Filipinos should have a full new round of COVID-19 vaccination to guarantee better protection from the highly transmissible Omicron variant.
Dasmariñas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga urged government to consider giving Filipinos a fourth dose of anti-COVID-19 as the virus threat became stronger with the current surge in reported cases.
“The government’s pandemic response task force should consider giving additional two doses. Some countries, notably Israel, are already administering a fourth dose on their population to increase their level of protection,” he said.
Barzaga, president of the National Unity Party, noted that Israeli officials are elated by their initial findings on the administration of a fourth shot, which their health experts have found to have significantly boosted the immunity of a vaccinated person.
“If the pandemic response task force decides to undertake a new round of vaccination, it should start with those belonging to the A1, A2 and A3 priority groups composed of health workers, senior citizens and those with comorbidity,” Barzaga said.
He added that these groups received either the Chinese-made Sinovac or the United Kingdom’s AstraZeneca, the first two vaccines available in the country during the early stage of the pandemic.
“That was in April and May last year, or eight months to nine months ago. By this time, the immunity of the priority sectors might have already waned, if not dissipated,” he stressed.
He pointed out that if health personnel, the elderly and those with comorbidity are given a third dose or a booster, it may not be sufficient to restore the protection they had when they received their full two-dose course and to shield them even from the mild omicron.
“There may be nothing to boost in a vaccinated person’s system,” stated Barzaga, chairman of the House Committee on Environment.
He cited studies in Hong Kong and the Dominican Republic showing that two doses of a vaccine with lower efficacy followed by a booster did not generate enough immunity against Covid-19.
Researchers were quoted as saying that those who received a full two-dose primary course may need two additional booster shots to attain protective levels against the virus.