Unvaxxed people, not lack of boosters, caused COVID resurgence abroad – DOH

FILE PHOTO: A man gets his COVID-19 shot in the Sacred Heart Parish Shrine in Kamuning, Quezon City, on Monday, August 9, 2021. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) said Friday that unvaccinated individuals, and not the lack of booster shots, are causing the increase of COVID-19 cases in other countries, countering another statement from the OCTA Research.

In an online media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire called out “groups” saying that COVID-19 cases could again escalate in the Philippines if booster shots will not be provided.

“Gusto po nating tawagin ang pansin ng mga grupo na ito na nagbibigay ng ganitong statements, kasi po ito ay nakakapagcause ng confusion sa ating public,” she said.

(We would like to call the attention of groups that give such statements because this can cause confusion to the public.)

“Kailangan lang po nating intindihin na base sa ebidensya at base sa pag-aaral na ginagawa ng ating mga eksperto and even based [on] the experiences now happening in other countries where there are, again, increases in their cases, the unvaccinated ang nakakapagcause ng pagtaas ng kaso sa ibang bansa, hindi po ‘yung kakulangan ng booster,” she added.

(We just need to understand that based on evidence and study being done by experts, and even based on the experiences now happening in other countries where there are, again, increases in their cases, the unvaccinated are the ones causing the increase of cases in other countries, not the lack of booster shots.)

Vergeire called on these groups to be careful in issuing statements so that the public will not be confused.

“May we call on to all of those groups stating these kinds of statements to be very careful and cautious because the public is getting confused. We should all be basing our statements on science and we should all be prepared to have this kind of evidence with us whenever we make these kinds of statements. Let us all be responsible in issuing our statements,” she said.

On November 4, independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research warned that COVID-19 cases in the country could again increase rapidly if booster shots will not be administered to Filipinos, considering the waning efficacy of vaccines.

READ: OCTA Research warns spike in COVID cases if booster shots not given

It cited a theory that other countries experienced a resurgence of cases since the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines has already diminished. The group echoed their statement in another media forum on Thursday.

KGA