spot_img
27.4 C
Philippines
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

‘WHO did not name vax brands for booster shot’

- Advertisement -

The World Health Organization did not specify any brand of vaccine that would require a booster shot to maintain its efficacy against COVID-19, the Department of Health said Saturday.

“We have to put this into context. First of all, the official document released by the WHO did not specifically state any type of vaccine," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

“What is clear is that those who need third doses are the immunocompromised and maybe the senior citizens," she added.

The Health official made the clarification amid reports that COVID vaccines made in China need to be administered thrice due to their shorter efficacy period.

Vergeire cautioned the public against sharing such false information, which she said could affect vaccine confidence.

- Advertisement -

"Those who spoke to the media in reaction to the WHO were the ones who mentioned specific types of vaccines, not the WHO," she added.

For her part, Health Undersecretary and National Vaccination Operations Center chairperson Myrna Cabotaje said vaccine manufacturers should apply for an emergency use authorization (EUA) to provide a third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine 

Meanwhile, the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the German government has arrived in Manila over the weekend.

The shipment consists of 844,800 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines.

“This is a strong sign of solidarity between our two counties and it shows that our joint efforts are very needed in this pandemic,” said Alexander Schmidt, deputy head of mission of the German Embassy in the Philippines.

Schmidt also confirmed that around 800,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines are expected to arrive in the coming days to complete the 1.6 million doses donated by Germany.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles