Gov't adviser: Getting 2nd COVID-19 vaccine dose on time needed to get full protection

Getting the second dose of a two-dose vaccine against COVID-19 on time is needed to get the full protection provided by the vaccine, an infectious disease doctor and government adviser said Friday.

Dr. Edsel Salvana made the clarification after the Department of Health revealed that 9% of vaccinated Filipinos who got their first dose of the vaccine missed their second dose.

“Having a catch-up vaccination is okay and this is being practiced, but it is better if we will follow recommendations. If they missed the schedule for second dose for a few days, hindi naman po malaking bagay iyon; eepekto pa rin naman iyong ating bakuna,” Salvana said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(If you missed the second dose for a few days, it is not a big deal. The vaccine will still be effective.)

“Bagama’t, iyon nga, mas maganda talaga to get the second dose on time para iyong full protection natin ay makuha na as soon as possible,” Salvana added.

(But it is better if we get the second dose on time so we can get the full protection as soon as possible.)

Salvana then said that not getting the second dose on schedule does not negate the first dose and there is no need to repeat the process all over again.

“There is no need to repeat the process. Kahit ilang weeks actually, wala namang upper limit sa ngayon; pinag-aaralan pa rin po iyan, “ he said.

(There is no definite timeline between the first and second vaccine doses. That is still being studied.)

Salvana cited the case of AstraZeneca doses which was initially pronounced to have an interval of four weeks, then eight weeks until it was finally decided that having a 12-week interval will further increase its efficacy rate.

“You do not need to start from scratch,” he emphasized.

Likewise, Salvana added that those who got infected with COVID-19 after taking the first dose are eligible for the second dose of the vaccine, provided that the patient is already fully recovered. — DVM, GMA News