Vaccines protect persons with comorbidities against COVID-19, says DOH-1

LAOAG CITY, Feb 26 (PIA) – A health expert from the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 1 underscores the importance of vaccination of the people against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially for persons with comorbidities.

 

During the Kapihan sa Ilocos, Dr. Rheuel Bobis, medical officer IV of DOH-Center for Health Development says these individuals with comorbidities are included in the vulnerable sectors which are included in the priority list for vaccination.

COVID-19 VACCINE. Dr. Rheuel Bobis of DOH-CHD Region I, guested at the Kapihan sa Ilocos on February 24 to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccine. (MJTAB)

 

“Sa ngayon, ayon sa World Health Organization (WHO) at Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), kabilang po sa mga high-risk individuals at vulnerable population ang mga tao na may comorbidities,” the medical officer said during the weekly online program show of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region I.

 

He states that these globally recognized health agencies recommend vaccines for persons with comorbidities as there is no study presenting contraindications against COVID-19.

 

With the threat of the contagious disease still present across the country, Bobis advocates vaccination for these patients to help their body fight against greater risk of COVID-19 infection and other diseases that may arise.

 

“Ang COVID-19 vaccination ay makabubuti para sa kanila kasi alam naman po natin na kapag may comorbidities ang isang tao, higher po ang kanyang risk for COVID-19 infection at mas malala ang kanyang makukuhang sakit kapag siya ay na-infect ng COVID-19,” he added.

 

Through inoculation, the medical officer explained how vaccines help the body of the person the same way CDC explained that “COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19.”

 

To beef up awareness of vaccines down to the grassroots level, series of information dissemination activities are being conducted by DOH as the lead speaker of the national government’s vaccination program.

 

In partnership with PIA, the communication arm of the government,  Bobis hopes for a significant increase on the level of acceptance of residents in the Ilocos Region on COVID-19 vaccine. (JCR/VHS/MJTAB, PIA ILOCOS NORTE)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)