DOH, DOST to study antibody response of vaccinees

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will conduct a study on the antibody response of those vaccinated against COVID-19, the Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) said yesterday.

“We will be vaccinating millions so we will get subjects based on some studies or scientific basis. We will be following them up to determine their antibody responses,” VEP head Nina Gloriani.

The study will look into how long the jabs can provide immunity. Initial studies said that immunity could last for six to eight months but researchers note that nothing is definite yet.

Gloriani said the study would be done along with DOH’s bio-surveillance on new variants of COVID-19.

“We are meeting to talk about the details and how the study will be designed. The vaccinees will be followed up and monitored for the duration of their immunity,” she added.

Focus on benefits

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire asked the public to focus on the benefits of having COVID-19 vaccines instead of efficacy rates.

“Even if the efficacy of Sinovac for mild and moderate is 50 percent, it’s 90 percent or more for severe,” Vergeire said, noting that the general goal of COVID-19 vaccination is to reduce severe cases, deaths and hospitalization.

Vergeire also cautioned against comparing vaccine efficacy rates because data from clinical trials must be considered.

“There is no vaccine that can say they can really block transmission. Even if we have already been vaccinated, we can still get infected. But the promise of the vaccine is that there is less chances to get hospitalized and lesser chances of dying,” she explained.

Vergeire made the statement after Chinese Center of Disease Control (China CDC) director Gao Fu admitted that Chinese vaccines offer low protection against COVID-19. He later denied the statement, claiming it was misunderstood.