MANILA – National Adverse Effects Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC) Chair, Dr. Lulu Bravo, stated in a televised public briefing on Thursday that the Covid-19 vaccines are effective regardless of brand.
There are, however, a few instances of deaths if the vaccinee fails to generate the appropriate anti-body level following vaccination, and these are mainly those with comorbidities.
“So imagine sa 13 million fully vaccinated, kung may makita ka na isa o dalawa na namatay, iyan po ay talagang medyo siguro ‘yan iyong mayroong abnormal na immune system. Kasi hindi naman natin sinasabi na 100 percent garantisado ang efficacy ng bakuna. Mayroon pong mga tao na talagang hindi tatalaban ng bakuna dahil ang kanilang immune system ay hindi normal. Hindi po sila nakaka-develop ng tamang antibody level (Out of 13 million fully vaccinated individuals, if we see one or two who will die, they must have an abnormal immune system. There are those whose immune system won’t absorb the vaccine if their immune system is not normal. They don’t develop the adequate antibody level),” she said.
She speculated that the individuals may have consumed too much on steroids or are being treated with immunomodulators, which modify the body’s reaction to antigens, resulting in a lack of sufficient antibody protection.
Health officials urge the public to report any symptoms or adverse occurrences as soon as possible so that proper treatment can be provided during vaccination procedures.
“Sometimes, it’s too late because some people are scared to see a doctor or go to the hospital and that’s the reason why they die,” Bravo said.
According to the NAEFIC data, the majority of severe cases of Covid-19 are among the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated population.
“Those who are fully vaccinated, mark my words, those are the ones who get mild symptoms only,” she said.
Malacañang said on Tuesday that 13.2 million Filipinos, or 12.1 percent of the country’s overall population of 109.04 million, have been immunized against Covid-19 since the rollout began in March.
