The Manila Times

Step up second booster shot – Concepcion

WITH coronavirus cases still rising and the immunity of those vaccinated waning, the medical and business sectors have intensified calls for the government to approve second booster shots for individuals ages 50 to 59.

“Our medical experts are telling us that we experience waning immunity from Covid faster than we would from other diseases,” Go Negosyo founder Jose Maria “Joey” Concepcion 3rd said in a statement.

“This means we really have to increase our first booster vaccinations and allow more people to get their second boosters, especially our economic frontliners,” he added.

At present, only those ages 60 and older, the immunocompromised and health care workers are entitled to

second booster shots.

Concepcion said those in the 50 to 59 age range are still productive members of the workforce, but they may have comorbidities, such as high blood pressure, making Covid-19 a more dangerous disease for them.

“They are exposed to the virus and are vulnerable, yet they do not have that extra layer of protection despite them contributing to our economic recovery,” said the former presidential adviser for entrepreneurship.

The Philippine Food and Drug Administration “should align with a country of reference, such as the US,” he said. “It would be easier rather than reinventing the wheel. The documents are easily accessible for the panel’s review.” Concepcion’s sentiments were shared by Vaccine Expert Panel chairman Dr. Nina Gloriani, who pointed out that unlike other diseases where immunity could last years, immunity to Covid-19 lasts only for months.

Gloriani is also part of the Advisory Council of Experts that provides guidance to the private sector.

“The SARS-CoV2 virus is very different from all the other viruses or microbial agents,” she said.

Second booster jabs benefit not only those who are immunocompromised but also those with comorbidities, which is common with middle-aged people, Gloriani said.

There is “very, very good data about the vulnerability of people who have a number of comorbidities,” Gloriani noted, referring to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that has recommended that people over 50 years old get their second booster shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Gloriani believes the rising number of Covid infections is being driven by the highly infectious Omicron subvariants BA.4, BA.5 and the BA 2.12.1, as well as waning immunity. “We do not really know if these are new cases or reinfection,” she said.

“It’s very clear already that we need three doses at least to protect us from waning immunity and give us broader protection against these variants of concern, especially the subvariants that are now circulating in the country,” she said.

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2022-07-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/281505049916421

The Manila Times