Filipinos should remain vigilant in taking steps against the spread of COVID-19 even amid the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s announcement that 23 cities have achieved herd immunity.
Dr. Lulu Bravo, director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, said there was no evidence that “acquired herd immunity” would be effective against the Omicron variant.
“Even for the herd immunity, specific ‘yun para sa sakit na nandyan kumakalat,”Bravo said in an interview on Balitanghali.
“Eh, ‘yung tinatawag nating variant, hindi tayo sigurado na ‘yung variant na darating ay… malalabanan nitong ating dati nang nakuhang herd immunity,” she added.
[Even for the herd immunity, it’s specific to the virus currently prevailing. We are not sure if our herd immunity can fight against this variant that is coming.]
“So ‘wag muna tayong kompyansa at masyadong confident na hindi na tayong magkakaroon ng variant sapagkat ang mutation po ay posibleng dumating sa ibang lugar at pumasok sa inyong lugar,” Bravo said.
[So let’s not be too complacent and confident that we will not be affected by the variant because the mutation can occur in a different place and enter your area.]
The Omicron variant, classified as a variant of concern, has been found to be more contagious but less severe.
Bravo said certain conditions needed to be met for an area to have herd immunity COVID-19.
She said more than 80% of the population must be vaccinated against the illness or have tested positive for COVID-19 once.
“‘Yun ang number one na kailangan mo makita. Pero gagawin ‘yun as a research. Talagang titignan mo ‘yung kanilang mga blood, kukuha ka ng sample,” Bravo said.
[This is the number one thing we need to see. But it must be done as research. You need to look at their blood and get a sample.]
She added there must be a low transmission of COVID-19 cases.
“Maski hindi mo kunin siguro ‘yung blood. Pag nakita mo na wala na halos nag tra-transmit at mababang mababa na ‘yung mga kaso, pwede natin sabihin na naka-kamit na tayo ng herd immunity,” Bravo said.
[Maybe you won’t need the blood if you see that cases are really going down. Then we can say we’ve achieved herd immunity.]
“Pero kailangan hindi lang isang araw. Over a period of time ‘yun,” Bravo said.
[But this isn’t only for one day, this should be over a period of time.]
The DILG on Tuesday said 23 highly urbanized cities, mostly in Metro Manila, have reached herd immunity after fully vaccinating 70% of its target population.
Independent research firm OCTA also said that an area should have at least 80% vaccinated population and a reproduction number below 1 to be considered that it has achieved herd immunity from COVID-19. -Joahna Lei Casilao/NB/BM, GMA News
Expert warns against complacency vs. COVID-19 amid claimed herd community
Source: Pinoy Hub News
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