Expert tells public: Never fear about vaccine effectiveness limit

A health expert on Thursday reminded the public to never worry about the duration of the efficacy of a vaccine, after reports that some doses are effective only up to six months.

"Ang dapat nating alalahanin ay hindi po kung kailan kayo dapat matakot sa duration, kasi lahat ng bakuna at lahat ng mga official recommendation ay naaayon sa mga pananaliksik na ginagawa ng mga eksperto," said National Adverse Events Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC) chairperson Dr. Lulu Bravo at a Palace briefing.

(What we should be concerned about is not when you will need fear the duration, because all vaccines and all official recommendations are in accordance with research done by experts.)

"Ang dapat po nating alalahanin at talagang i-promote sa ating mga kababayan ay magpabakuna, magpabakuna, magpabakuna (What we should consider, and promote to our fellow citizens is to get vaccinated)," she added.

Bravo emphasized that all vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are "safe and effective."

However, not all vaccines are created equal, and they have different percentages of efficacy and duration of immunity.

Bravo said the pandemic might possibly end if 90% of the Philippine population is already vaccinated against COVID-19.

"If we can have our people, as much as 90%, that is my dream, not just 70% or 80%... If in the Philippines 90% of the population will be vaccinated, this is a good sign because there will no longer be any transmission," she said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Protection from two doses of the Pfizer, and AstraZeneca vaccines wanes within less than six months, according to a study of phone app data Wednesday, suggesting that booster shots may be needed to ensure prolonged coverage.

In mid-August, Vaccine Expert Panel chair Dr. Nina Gloriani said that AstraZeneca has the longest effect in preventing severe COVID-19 infection compared with other brands. —LBG, GMA News