Visit Vaccines Page for More Information>>>
1. How do vaccines prevent disease? 2. How do vaccines differ? 3. What are the possible side effects of vaccination? 4. Is vaccination mandatory? 5. Why do we need to get vaccinated for COVID-19? 6. When will the COVID-19 vaccine be available? 7. What is an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)? 8. Who will get the vaccines first? 9. Why will the prioritized groups get the vaccine first? 10. Can I purchase the vaccine from private clinics or pharmacies? 11. Is the vaccine free for priority groups? 12. If I am not part of the priority group, how will I get access to the vaccine? 13. Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective? 14. Are there risks for complications when given the COVID-19 vaccine? 15. What can we do while waiting for the vaccine?
Vaccines mimic the virus or bacteria that causes disease and triggers the body’s creation of antibodies. These antibodies will provide protection once a person is infected with the actual disease-causing virus or bacteria.
Vaccines differ in their composition and how they trigger the immune response to create antibodies. These antibodies protect the body from microorganisms and serve as protection once a person gets infected with disease. Vaccines can be inactivated, weakened or killed copies of the whole or part of the virus or bacteria, or genetic product (like mRNA vaccines) that creates protein copies without causing disease.
The possible side effects of a vaccine include pain, redness, itchiness or swelling at the injection site (which may last a few hours); fever; feeling of weakness or fatigue; headache; dizziness; diarrhea; or nausea. Consult the nearest healthcare professional if you experience any of these.
No, vaccination is not mandatory. But the government highly encourages the public to get vaccinated and be protected against preventable disease.
With the BIDA steps and observance of minimum public health standards, vaccination is an important way to protect yourself from getting severe COVID-19.
The government is currently in the advanced stages of negotiations with various vaccine manufacturers. We expect the first vaccine supply to arrive in the first quarter of 2021.
It is an authorization granted through a risk-based procedure for assessing unregistered (under development) vaccines or drugs during public health emergencies of international concern. It aims to expedite availability of the vaccine or drug to people affected by public health emergency based on essential set of available quality, safety and efficacy performance data.
Frontline health workers, senior citizens, indigent population, and uniformed personnel are the priority groups to be vaccinated.
With the initial limited supply, frontline health workers and uniformed personnel are prioritized since they have higher risk of exposure while on duty and to allow them to continue fulfilling their duties in both the public and private sectors. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the indigent population, are prioritized guided by the principle of equity.
No, you cannot purchase COVID-19 vaccines from private clinics or pharmacies. At present, only the government is duly authorized to procure and administer vaccines. Until a full market authorization is issued by the Philippine FDA, any COVID-19 vaccine should not be sold to the public.
The cost of vaccines for priority groups will be shouldered by the Philippine government.
The government is continuing negotiations to ensure adequate vaccine supply for all Filipinos, including those not in the priority groups.
COVID-19 vaccines that are granted with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are considered safe and effective based on the available evidence to date.
Yes, like all other vaccines, there are risks of complications BUT SEVERE OR LIFE-THREATENING REACTIONS ARE EXTREMELY RARE. The benefit of protection against severe COVID-19 is greater than the risk. Anyone who will get the vaccine will be properly evaluated and closely monitored by health professionals to further minimize any risk.
We urge the public to be more vigilant with the information found online. Let us make it a habit to fact check and verify with reliable sources (DOH Facebook page, DOH website, WHO website, PIA website) regarding new information. Continue observing the minimum public health standards to prevent further transmission of the virus.
I am an expert and enthusiast based assistant. I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide assistance on a wide range of topics. I can help answer questions, provide information, and engage in detailed discussions.
Regarding the evidence to make others believe in my expertise, I have access to search results, which provide snippets from various sources. These snippets can be used to support the information I provide. For example, the search results include snippets that discuss the importance of clear sourcing, evidence of expertise, and background information about the author or site that publishes the content . Additionally, the search results include snippets that mention the importance of expertise in producing reliable content .
Now, let's address the concepts mentioned in the article you provided:
1. How do vaccines prevent disease?
Vaccines mimic the virus or bacteria that causes disease and trigger the body's creation of antibodies. These antibodies provide protection once a person is infected with the actual disease-causing virus or bacteria .
2. How do vaccines differ?
Vaccines differ in their composition and how they trigger the immune response to create antibodies. They can be inactivated, weakened, or killed copies of the whole or part of the virus or bacteria, or genetic products (like mRNA vaccines) that create protein copies without causing disease .
3. What are the possible side effects of vaccination?
Possible side effects of vaccination include pain, redness, itchiness, or swelling at the injection site (which may last a few hours), fever, feeling of weakness or fatigue, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, or nausea. It is recommended to consult the nearest healthcare professional if any of these side effects are experienced.
4. Is vaccination mandatory?
Vaccination is not mandatory, but the government highly encourages the public to get vaccinated and be protected against preventable diseases .
5. Why do we need to get vaccinated for COVID-19?
Vaccination, along with following public health standards, is an important way to protect oneself from getting severe COVID-19.
6. When will the COVID-19 vaccine be available?
The government is currently in advanced stages of negotiations with various vaccine manufacturers, and the first vaccine supply is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2021.
7. What is an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)?
Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) is an authorization granted through a risk-based procedure for assessing unregistered vaccines or drugs during public health emergencies. It aims to expedite the availability of the vaccine or drug to people affected by a public health emergency based on essential sets of available quality, safety, and efficacy performance data .
8. Who will get the vaccines first?
Frontline health workers, senior citizens, indigent population, and uniformed personnel are the priority groups to be vaccinated.
9. Why will the prioritized groups get the vaccine first?
With the initial limited supply, frontline health workers and uniformed personnel are prioritized due to their higher risk of exposure while on duty. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the indigent population are prioritized guided by the principle of equity.
10. Can I purchase the vaccine from private clinics or pharmacies?
No, COVID-19 vaccines cannot be purchased from private clinics or pharmacies. Only the government is authorized to procure and administer vaccines until a full market authorization is issued by the Philippine FDA .
11. Is the vaccine free for priority groups?
The cost of vaccines for priority groups will be shouldered by the Philippine government.
12. If I am not part of the priority group, how will I get access to the vaccine?
The government is continuing negotiations to ensure adequate vaccine supply for all Filipinos, including those not in the priority groups.
13. Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?
COVID-19 vaccines that are granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are considered safe and effective based on the available evidence to date.
14. Are there risks for complications when given the COVID-19 vaccine?
Like all other vaccines, there are risks of complications, but severe or life-threatening reactions are extremely rare. The benefit of protection against severe COVID-19 is greater than the risk. Anyone who receives the vaccine will be properly evaluated and closely monitored by health professionals to minimize any risk .
15. What can we do while waiting for the vaccine?
While waiting for the vaccine, it is important to be vigilant with the information found online and fact-check and verify with reliable sources. It is also crucial to continue observing the minimum public health standards to prevent further transmission of the virus.
Please note that the information provided above is based on the search result snippets and should not be considered as medical advice. It is always recommended to consult healthcare professionals or trusted sources for specific medical information or guidance.
