The Department of Health (DOH) once again urged eligible Filipinos to get their Covid-19 vaccine booster shots to maintain a high level of protection against the disease’s severe form.
The DOH reiterated the importance of booster shots as the effectiveness of the two-dose primary vaccination series wanes over time.
“Immunity does not last forever, and for that reason, we must all get a booster,” the state health agency said in an advisory.
“The likelihood to be very ill or worse, to die, is what matters. Given this information, the choice to be vaccinated and protected from this risk becomes clear,” it added.
The DOH said that based on data, “six out of ten Covid-19 patients seen at the hospital are not fully vaccinated.“
“The remaining four out of ten who are fully vaccinated or even boosted are more likely to be asymptomatic, mild, or moderate cases who were also seen at the hospital,” it added.
Severe and critical symptoms are 1.48 times "more likely to happen" among people who are not vaccinated at all as compared to those who have completed the primary vaccine series, the DOH said.
It was also noted by the DOH that unvaccinated individuals are 1.86 times "more likely to die from Covid-19, compared to those who have completed their primary series."
“The DOH repeats in no uncertain terms: Covid-19 vaccines save lives,” the agency said.
Aside from vaccination, the DOH also reminded the public to strictly follow the health protocols as daily cases nationwide are projected to increase to at least 17,000 to 22,000 by the end of this month.
“National daily cases may reach up to 17,105 by the end of July if current MPHS (minimum public health standards) compliance is maintained,” it said.
“If MPHS further declines, along with other factors contributing to higher transmission rates such as lowered vaccination effective coverage and higher mobility, cases may be as high as 22,187,” it added.
In Metro Manila, cases could go up as high as 11,186 per day by the end of July, the DOH said.
Currently, the average number of daily cases in the Philippines is at 1,467. Despite the increase in cases, the country remains under the low-risk category for Covid-19, the DOH said.