Iloilo First District Representative Janette Garin reiterated that vaccines do not provide 100-percent protection against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but can reduce risk of severe illness and death.
“Allow me to clarify this. COVID-19 vaccines, like any other vaccine, are not 100 percent effective,” Garin said in a statement.
This means that fully vaccinated inviduals can still be infected and spread the coronavirus to others if they disregard the minimum health protocols.
“Hindi po ito (vaccine) parang magic potion na kapag naibigay na sa’yo ay hindi ka na dadapuan ng sakit,” said Garin, who is a medical doctor by profession.
“Ito po ang totoo at paulit-ulit naming sinasabi kasama na ng mga eksperto sa medisina: ang mga COVID-19 vaccines ay binibigyan tayo ng dagdag na proteksyon laban sa malalang epekto ng sakit na dulot ng SARS-CoV2,” the former Department of Health (DOH) secretary added.
The lady lawmaker tested positive for COVID-19 in August last year despite being fully vaccinated. She experienced mild symptoms of the disease.
Meanwhile, Garin called on health experts “to be more careful of their statements.”
“I came across a recent post from a credible news outlet about a self-proclaimed health expert warning WHO (World Health Organization) versus COVID-19 booster shots.
The so-called doctor said booster shots pose a danger to individuals and that despite being vaccinated, some people still get COVID-19,” Garin shared.
“Sinabi pa ng naturang eksperto na hindi raw dapat magtiwala sa booster shots dahil ang WHO mismo ang nagsabi na kailangan i-reformulate ang mga bakuna dahil hindi ito epektibo sa mga naglalabasang variant,” she added.
In reaction to the claims, Garin said: “Totoo na kailangan baguhin ang formulation ng mga bakuna dahil yung mga naunang bakuna ay epektibo sa mga naunang variant ng COVID. Ngayong may iba’t ibang variant na, patuloy dapat ang development ng mga bakuna para mas maging epektibo ito laban sa mas maraming variants.”
She also appealed to media practitioners “to be more responsible about their coverage regarding COVID-19 and vaccines.”
“Please do not allow your institutions to be propagators of infodemic. Nasa kalagitnaan pa po tayo ng pandemic, huwag na tayong magdagdag pa ng infodemic,” said Garin.IMT
