An uptick or resurgence of Covid-19 infections in Metro Manila may occur due to waning vaccine immunity, an OCTA Research fellow warned on Thursday, April 7.

OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David, in a health forum held by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), presented projections indicating that a resurgence of Covid-19 infections may occur due to waning immunity and various threats.

“Ano ang mga mangyari? This is just one scenario na kapag nag wane ang immunity natin ay pwedeng magkaroon ng resurgence in cases. Ito ang gusto nating iwasan (What could happen? This is just one scenario, but when our immunity wanes, there could be a resurgence in cases. This is what we want to avoid,” said David.

While the Covid-19 indicators as well as the classification in the National Capital Region (NCR) remains “very low,” David noted that an uptick of infections is currently being monitored in Northern Mindanao.

Meanwhile, among the threats that could trigger the resurgence of Covid-19 cases include the vaccine hesitancy and low vaccine coverage in the Philippines, as well as in impoverished countries.

“Low vaccine coverage in some impoverished countries, bakit tayo maaapektuhan nito? kung mababa ang coverage nila for vaccinations at kung magkaroon man ng surge doon sa ibang bansa ay pwedeng magkaroon ng panibagong variant (Low vaccine coverage in some impoverished countries, why would it affect us? This is because if their coverage for vaccinations is low there could be a surge that may lead to the emergence of another variant),” said David.

Another factor that could lead to the resurgence of infections is the low booster uptake in the Philippines. The Department of Health’s (DOH) National Covid-19 Vaccination Dashboard showed that as of March 30, 2022, only 12,018,418 individuals have so far been boosted against the disease while 65,885,048 Filipinos have received two doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

Furthermore, David added that emerging Covid-19 variants, subvariants, and recombinants could be a possible threat, as well as the non-compliance with the minimum public health standards.

Despite the decreasing infections and relaxed protocols, David reiterated that it is best to continue adhering to the health protocols and most importantly get vaccinated and boosted.

“May nakikita na tayong uptick sa ilang regions sa Pilipinas, especially ‘yung mga mababa ang vaccine coverage. That is why importante na ipagpatuloy natin ang ating vaccinations at pagpapa-booster (We are already seeing an uptick in some regions in the Philippines, especially those with low vaccine coverage. That is why it is important that we continue our vaccinations and boosters),” said David.