Some vaccinated Pinoys possibly becoming lax on health protocols —OCTA

Some Filipinos, who were already vaccinated, are becoming lax on following COVID-19  safety protocols, which is still being required with more than a year into lockdown, OCTA Research Fellow Dr. Guido David said Wednesday.

David said this over  Super Radyo DZBB after he was asked if Filipinos are being "overconfident" after getting vaccinated as virus infections keep on "fluctuating" amid strict community quarantine measures.

"Actually, kasama yan sa mga dahilan, may mga nagkakaroon ng confidence na feeling superman na and then connected there nagiging lax na rin tayo ng kaunti," said David.

(This could be a reason as some are having confidence, they feel like superman and connected to that they are being lax.)

On those who opt not to get a second dose of vaccine, David reminded that there is no guarantee that getting the first dose of the drug will fully protect them from the virus.

"'Wag naman nila isipin na kapag naka first dose na okay na sila or protektado na. Hindi. Mababa pa protection. Nagrarange from 3 percent to 30 percent ang protection with the first dose. Baka may possibility na makakuha pa ng severe (infection)," David said, amid reports of those who failed to return for second dose of vaccines.

(Please don't think that with the second dose of vaccines, they are already protected. They are not. There is still low protection. It ranges from three to 30 percent with the first dose. They might still get severe infection with only one dose.)

"Kapag nagpabakuna tayo, kunin na natin ang second dose (Once we get vaccinated, let's remember to get the second dose.)," added David.

Meanwhile, David also noted that increased mobility also cause a risk in transmission in communities.

"Of course, nagbubukas tayo ng ekonomiya slowly pero ginagawa naman natin slowly. Pero kahit sa pag-increase ng mobility habang dumadami mga tao sa labas mas tumataas ang risk ng kahawaaan," he said.

(We are slowly reopening the economy but with the increase in mobility, with more people going outside, the risk of transmission is high.)

Likewise, David reminded that lockdowns are not the only solution for decreasing COVID-19 cases but also aggressive contact tracing.

Earlier, the OCTA Research Team noted an increase in reproduction number in the National Capital Region from 0.57 to 0.68. 

To recall, Metro Manila reverted to general community quarantine from May 15 to May 31. The national government then extended the classification over NCR until June 15. 

As of Wednesday, Philippines registered  1,240,716 total virus infections with 52,132 active cases, 21,158 deaths and 1,167,426 recoveries.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News