Solante suggests annual, bi-annual COVID-19 vax to maintain protection vs. severe cases

A health expert on Thursday said an annual or bi-annual vaccination is a possible option to maintain protection against more severe COVID-19 variants.

In a public briefing, infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante explained the immunity from COVID-19 vaccines wane after six to eight months.

This means, a person vaccinated against COVID-19 will have lesser protection after the said period.

Solante said as long as there is a COVID-19 case in the country, there is always a possibility for the cases to rise. Thus, there is a need for continuous protection against the respiratory disease to prevent the mutation of a more severe case.

"In the event na hanggang next year, halimbawa, January o February, mataas pa rin ang kaso or hindi naman mataas basta mayroon pa ring kaso ang COVID-19, there is still a possibility na pwedeng tataas ang mga kaso nang bahagya," he said.

"Nakikita natin na pwede pa ring magbabakuna tayo at isa sa mga possible options 'yan...once a year or twice a year na ang vaccination natin ng COVID para lang to maintain that protection na hindi tayo mag-develop ng severe COVID," he added.

At least 73.7 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 21 million have received their booster shots, based on the Department of Health’s national COVID-19 vaccination dashboard.

Based on DOH’s latest data, at least 6,662 beds were occupied, while 21,640 were vacant as the bed occupancy in the country stood at 23.5% as of Sunday, December 4.

The Philippines also recorded 883 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday, while the tally of active cases went down to 17,481.—AOL, GMA Integrated News