Post-full vaccination death rare: health expert

MANILA – The efficacy of Covid-19 jabs is guaranteed regardless of brand, National Adverse Effects Following Immunization Committee (NAEFIC) Chair ,Dr. Lulu Bravo, said in a televised public briefing on Thursday.

However, there are rare cases of deaths if the vaccinee failed to develop the right anti-body level post vaccination and they are usually those with comorbidities.

“So imagine sa 13 million fully vaccinated, kung may makita ka na isa o dalawa na namatay, iyan po ay talagang medyo siguro ‘yan iyong mayroong abnormal na immune system. Kasi hindi naman natin sinasabi na 100 percent garantisado ang efficacy ng bakuna. Mayroon pong mga tao na talagang hindi tatalaban ng bakuna dahil ang kanilang immune system ay hindi normal. Hindi po sila nakaka-develop ng tamang antibody level (Out of 13 million fully vaccinated individuals, if we see one or two who will die, they must have an abnormal immune system. There are those whose immune system won’t absorb the vaccine if their immune system is not normal. They don’t develop the adequate antibody level),” she said.

She said the fatalities may have taken too much steroids or are being treated with immunomodulators, which alter the body’s response to antigens that’s why they lack strong antibody protection.

Health authorities urge the public to report symptoms or adverse events immediately for proper treatment during vaccination activities.

“Sometimes, it’s too late because some people are scared to see a doctor or go to the hospital and that’s the reason why they die,” Bravo said.

Citing the findings of the NAEFIC, she said most severe cases of Covid-19 belong to the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated population.

“Those who are fully vaccinated, mark my words, those are the ones who get mild symptoms only,” she said.

On Tuesday, Malacañang said 13.2 million Filipinos or 12.1 percent of the country’s total population of 109.04 million have been inoculated against Covid-19 since the rollout started in March.