FDA: Only 0.0017% contracted COVID-19 out of 13.8M fully vaccinated individuals

Only 0.0017% out of 13.87 million fully vaccinated individuals contracted COVID-19 as of August 29, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Thursday.

At an online briefing, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said 242 individuals experienced a breakthrough infection, which occurs more than 14 days after a person has completed the recommended doses of a vaccine.

Of the 242 breakthrough infections, five deaths were recorded. Domingo said the fatalities are composed of senior citizens, some of them with comorbidities.

Domingo said there were 180 breakthrough cases among individuals fully vaccinated with Sinovac, 47 among AstraZeneca recipients, 11 among Janssen recipients, and four among Pfizer recipients.

It is important to note that Sinovac comprises the largest chunk of vaccines delivered so far in the country. 

Out of 9.22 million individuals who had received at least one dose as of August 29, 732 got COVID-19 after their first shot and 98 were infected within 14 days after the last dose.

Sixty-three individuals whose vaccination data was incomplete also contracted the respiratory illness.

Out of all these cases, 101 people died.

Overall, the FDA tallied 1,135 COVID-19 cases among vaccinated individuals (partially and fully vaccinated), including 106 deaths.

“Pero ‘yung pattern bumababa, meaning, partially vaccinated, mas mataas ang mortality kaysa doon sa mga fully vaccinated na pababa nang pababa na halos zero,” Domingo said.

(But the pattern is decreasing, meaning, people who are partially vaccinated have a higher mortality rate compared to fully vaccinated individuals, which decreases to almost zero.)

Further, out of 33.38 million jabs, 0.18% (60,703) had suspected adverse reactions. Only 0.006% (2,083) were reported as suspected serious adverse reactions.

“The benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks. Vaccines are an effective and critical tool to control the pandemic,” the FDA said, adding it is important to complete the recommended doses.

The FDA also asked the healthcare workers, vaccinators, and vaccine recipients to report experiences of adverse reactions to the agency.

The Philippines has so far issued an emergency use authorization for eight vaccines, namely, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sputnik V, Moderna, Janssen, Sinopharm, and Covaxin, which has yet to be administered in the country. -MDM, GMA News