PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. and his son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, received their second booster shots against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) yesterday as they led the “PinasLakas” vaccination drive of the Department of Health at SM Manila in a bid to convince the public that the vaccines are safe and effective.
Health Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario. DOH officer-in-charge, administered the Pfizer booster vaccine on the President, while Manila Mayor Dr. Honey Lacuna gave the Pfizer booster shot to the congressman.
The President said he felt fine and did not experience any pain in the arm where he received the shot. He joked he tried to prolong his speech at the event to delay his getting the shot because he is scared of needles,
Marcos Jr. said he and his son decided to get their booster shot in a public area to show everyone that the vaccines are safe, effective and necessary to increase one’s protection against COVID-19, especially the severe infection.
“Hopefully, this will trigger a reaction from our people and that we will be able now to see that the take up of our vaccination rollout will be higher,” he said.
The President has been infected with COVID-19 twice, the first one in March 2020 and the second just last month.
Marcos has said he could have had a more serious COVID-19 had he not been fully vaccinated and boosted.
“The reason why I have come here today (is) to highlight the importance of having the booster shot. And when we were talking about it, I realized that it has already been four months and I can now get my booster. So that is why, to show everyone it is safe, it is effective, and it is needed,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.
He added that with the continuing opening of the economy, the resumption of classes next week, and efforts to return to the pre-pandemic situation, it is important to get a booster.
The President assured the public there is enough supply of vaccines and boosters and soon, new vaccines that are more effective against the new variants may become available in the country.
Pfizer and Moderna are developing Omicron-adopted vaccines which are expected to be released in the United States by October.
VAX FOR SALE
Vergeire said COVID-19 vaccines may be available commercially in the Philippines by early 2023 when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is estimated to issue a certificate of product registration (CPR) to the vaccine manufacturers.
“Once a vaccine has a CPR, it can already be available commercially,” she said.
“And since it is already a CPR, it will have to be thoroughly evaluated. It would likely take months. Probably, by early next year, we will already have a vaccine with a CPR,” she added.
Currently, only Johnson&Johnson/Janssen has applied for a CPR for its COVID-19 vaccine.
The application is undergoing evaluation, she said.
Currently, all COVID-19 vaccines being used in the country are issued only emergency use authorizations (EUAs).
The DOH is also anticipating newer generation vaccines will be available by next year.
Vergeire said manufacturers have informed the government that newer vaccines may be released in October.
“It will then undergo our processes once they apply here for an EUA. We will be reviewing their applications,” she said.
“By my estimate, it will complete the processes we have by the early part of next year,” she added.
Vergeire said the government has set aside funding for the procurement of the new generation vaccines which are believed to be more capable of more effective against the newer COVID-19 variants and mutations.
MANDATORY VACCINATION
Infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, during the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday, said there is a need to mandate COVID-19 vaccination for teachers amid the resumption of face-to-face classes on August 22.
He said vaccinated teachers can convince students to also get vaccinated.
“One thing that we want is to advocate for the teachers to have a very high rate of immunization or vaccination. We have seen that many teachers have yet to be vaccinated,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.
He said teachers should set an example so students will be vaccinated and to help build the wall of immunity.
Solante also reiterated the continued compliance with minimum public health standards such as the wearing of face masks, hand washing, as well as ensuring proper ventilation in classrooms.
He also expressed hope that more adolescents or ages 12 to 17 would get their booster and for those ages 5 to11 to be finally allowed to get their booster.
“Hopefully, we can also plan for the booster also for the 5 to 11 years old. So that wall of immunity against any variant, especially for Omicron will remain among the population,” Solante said.
The Vaccine Expert Panel previously said there are no applicants for an EUA for boosters for the 5-to-11-year-olds. — With Gerard Naval