The City Health Services Office has reiterated its call for individuals who availed of their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine to proceed to their vaccination sites for their second dose.
CHSO Risk Communication Management Chief Cecile Agpawa said those who had their first dose must avail of their second dose to be considered fully vaccinated and be protected from severe cases of Covid-19.
Agpawa made the call as the city’s vaccination from July 6 to 9 was devoted for those who were set for their second doses of the Sinovac and Pfizer vaccines.
The CHSO suspended the vaccination for the first dose due to non-availability of vaccines.
Agpawa said those who have availed of the first dose, usually falling under the A1, A2, and A3 categories, should proceed to their respective vaccination sites when their turn for the second dose is announced.
The number of those who failed to avail of their second doses was not immediately available, but data from the CHSO showed as of July 7, there were 74,932 vaccinees who received their first shots.
Agpawa said it is not advisable for vaccinees to delay or wait for the maximum interval date before availing of their second dose.
The recommended interval week for those inoculated with Pfizer is 21 days while Sinovac is 28 to 32 days. Those who received the first dose of AstraZeneca have up to 12 weeks to get their second dose while the interval for Sputnik V is three weeks, although the Food and Drugs Administration has recently allowed a 42-day interval for the Russian-manufactured vaccine.
While the CHSO suspended the inoculation for the first dose due to absence of vaccines, Agpawa said supply for those who are scheduled for their second dose has been assured.
“There is enough vaccine for the second dose because these are already reserved, except for those who received the AstraZeneca, which were all used for first doses because they were expiring in July,” Agpawa said.
The CHSO also reported 109,218 vaccinees have completed their first and second doses out of the 198,736 individuals who registered with bakuna.baguio.gov.ph as of June 30. – Jane B. Cadalig
April 27, 2024
