A tiny percentage of fully-vaccinated Filipinos contracted COVID-19, with just one fatality, the Food and Drug Administration said on Friday, as it argued for immunization against the coronavirus.
For every 100,000 Filipinos, up to seven could get COVID-19, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said. Of the 901,000 fully immunized as of Aug. 1, 116, or the equivalent of 0.0013% got sick.
Of the 116, 88% were asymptomatic or experienced mild symptoms and 11% were hospitalized. The lone fatality received the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine.
"Napakaliit na porsyento considering na ngayon for every 100,000 Filipinos, may six o seven na nagkaka-COVID araw-araw na nade-detect natin," Domingo said.
"Wala talagang vaccine na 100% ang efficacy, and there will always be breakthrough cases sa kahit na anong bakuna," even for vaccines used to control other diseases, he said.
Data from the FDA showed that out of more than 11.7 million who got just the first dose, 546 got COVID-19, of which 61 died. Domingo saiod this underscored the importance of getting the full two doses.
Fully vaccinated invididuals should still observe strict health protocols as the FDA recorded 51 COVID cases among those who got their second dose.
Most of the breakthrough cases got the Sinovac and AstraZaneca jabs because those are the ones that are widely available locally, he said.
"If you look at the general pattern, we can safely say that the benefits of vaccination outweighs the risk. The vaccines are effective and critical to control the pandemic."
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