THE Department of Health (DOH) said on Saturday the death of a midwife from San Mateo, Isabela, who contracted Covid-19 was not due to the vaccine that she received.
This, as the DOH logged 9,595 additional Covid-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases to 712,442. There were also an additional 481 recoveries and 10 deaths recorded.
“We are aware of this unfortunate situation. As of present, there is no reason to believe that this incident was caused by the vaccine. Every adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is reviewed carefully, and RAEFIC (Regional AEFI) and NAEFIC (National AEFI) are currently conducting a comprehensive causality assessment. Results of the assessment will be released to the public when the process if complete,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
The RT-PCR of Elvira Estera, a municipal midwife at the Rural Health Unit (RHU), yielded positive results after she received the vaccine. She died 13 days after getting vaccinated.
Vergeire stressed that evidence shows that the benefits of Covid-19 vaccination “continue to outweigh the risk of severe illness and death from Covid-19.”
“The DOH advises that all eligible priority groups continue to be vaccinated. We recognize that many people are eager to be vaccinated and protect themselves and their loved ones against Covid-19. It is important to honor the priority groups in the rollout of vaccines throughout the country,” she added.
She also reminded officials in vaccination sites to conduct thorough symptom and exposure screening.
“Potential vaccinees are also called on to be fully transparent when being assessed for history of exposure to Covid-19 — this is for your protection,” she added.
Moreover, Vergeire shared DOH’s advisory that even after the first-dose vaccination, it takes about 3 weeks before one gets partial protection.
“When you get your second dose, you may still be contagious to other people. This is why it is still important for vaccinated individuals to continue practicing MPHS (minimum public health standards) strictly and consistently,” she stressed.
“We also wish to remind everyone that Covid-19 vaccine cannot cause Covid-19 infection,” she reiterated.
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