By Arjane Faith Paala

PHOTO: YAHOO News

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday warned the public to not get more than two COVID-19 vaccine shots as it deprives other people and may even cause health complications. 

In his weekly Talk to the People, Duterte argued that administering third or fourth vaccine jabs is dangerous, while the Department of Health (DOH) is yet to discuss booster shots.

“Tama na yang dalawang doses. Huwag ninyo sobrahan, delikado. di naman kailangan and it does not add full protection to your body,” he added.

However, findings from the ZOE COVID Study refuted the President’s claims as it suggests the necessity of booster shots to ensure its efficiency.

From an 88 percent protection rate a month after the second dose, the Pfizer vaccine’s effectiveness dropped to 74 percent after five to six months, according to experts’ analysis.

Moreover, Duterte also said having more than two jabs administered could withhold COVID-19 protection from those who haven’t been vaccinated yet.

“When you do that multiple... you deprive your countrymen the orders sa isang bakuna na naibigay sa kapwa mong tao,” he asserted. 

According to Food and Drug Administration director-general Eric Domingo, DOH would finalize their decision within this week on the administration of COVID-19 booster shots for fully vaccinated people.

DOH undersecretary said they are currently finalizing recommendations from the All Experts’ Group for COVID-19 vaccines which will then be forwarded to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. 

100 million total COVID-19 vaccine doses were expected to be delivered to the country before November.  


Report source: GMA News