Experts now studying mixing of vaccine brands amid shortage in vaccine supply — DOST official
MB – Published April 14, 2021, 3:42 PM
Medical experts are studying the use of different brands of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines in anticipation of shortage in vaccine supply, a top official of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) said Wednesday, April 14.
DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya cited that the clinical trials were being conducted to look into the mixing of vaccine brands.
“Ito ay tinitingnan na sa pamamagitan ng mga clinical trials dahil nafo-foresee natin na maaaring mangyari lalo na sa kakulangan ng supply baka nga pag ikaw ay magse-second dose sa bakuna mo ay wala ang second dose mo. (This is already being looked at through clinical trials because we foresee that that there will likely be shortage in supply, maybe when you receive your second dose, your second dose is no longer available),” he said in an interview over DZBB.
“Isa pang rason din ay, base ito sa mga sayantipiko, ang kanilang thinking ay baka mas maganda po ang booster kung ibang bakuna ang ibibigay sa second time parang karagdagang coverage. Ito ay tinitingnan na ngayon (One more reason is maybe, based on the scientists, their thinking is maybe booster is better if another vaccine is given for the second time for additional coverage) ,” he added.
Montoya noted that the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine has to be administered to increase the level of protection against COVID-19.
“Kaya nga po mayroon po tayo na second dose para masigurado tayo na mas tataas ang antibodies level sa first dose at tatagal (That’s why we have second dose to ensure that level of antibodies will increase and it will last long),” he said.
In late March, the DOST’s Vaccine Expert Panel said that those who received the COVID-19 vaccines may get booster shots, especially those older individuals who will have lower antibodies, a year after the vaccination.
Montoya said just in case the recipients miss their second dose of COVID-19, their first dose will not be repeated.
“Ang recommendation ay kunwari 28 days, lumagpas ‘yan naging five to six weeks, of course, hindi po ‘yun ideal pero bibigyan kayo ng second dose at imomonitor na lang. Hindi naman po uulitin ulit (The recommendation is for example, 28 days, it exceeded, it became five to six weeks, of course, that’s not ideal but you will be given second dose and will be monitored. You will not repeat the first dose) ,” he said.
SOURCE: https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/14/experts-now-studying-mixing-of-vaccine-brands-amid-shortage-in-vaccine-supply-dost-official/
