FORMER Department of Health (DOH) secretary now reelected Iloilo Representative Janette Garin advised the national government to allow those who wanted complete protection against COVID-19.

Garin issued a statement with regards to giving second COVID-19 booster shots to the public.

A doctor by profession, Garin clarified that there is no vaccine “overdose” as it was based on science.

“Walang overdose sa bakuna. Kailangan maintindihan ito ng taong bayan. Everything must be backed by science. Trials have established the benefits of receiving two boosters. Those who would like complete protection should be allowed to do so and be given the option,” she said.

According to Garin, the Delta and Omicron variants, including their subvariants, have changed the definition of a “fully immunized” person.

She stressed that waning protection and inadequate protection from the primary series are two reasons “why we have breakthrough infections.”

“Let me be clear, though, that vaccination, albeit waning immunity, still provides benefits such as ‘zero deaths’ and reduced severity of infection. Breakthrough infections are mostly mild,” Garin stressed.

“Transparency is important. Few are getting the boosters because they are not aware na kapag walang booster ay hindi ka na protektado nang todo… The definition of ‘fully immunized’ should now mean that a person received the primary series (2 doses) plus a third dose or first booster,” she explained.

It is expected that sooner, the primary series will have to be three doses, based on the virus’s behavior and its impact on vaccination, the solon also noted.

Garin pointed out that when the polio vaccine was first introduced, some needed nine doses to establish community protection.

Henceforth, it became three doses with boosters when there are calamities and outbreaks.

“Kailangan lang natin ng mga tamang tao at eksperto na mag-e-explain ng vaccination sa ating mga kababayan para maalis ang mga agam-agam at takot,” she said.

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Jester P. Manalastas