Matagal pa bago payagan sa Pilipinas ang “booster” shot sa kabila ng paglaganap ng coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mutations,ayon sa isang pro-science consumer advocacy group.

Ayon kay Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Mamamayan (AGHAM) President Angelo Palmones, marami pang dapat na pag-aralan ukol sa long-term effects ng mga bakuna laban sa COVID-19.

“Booster shots for vaccination against COVID variants in the Philippines is still a way to go. First, all vaccines against COVID-19 are still on clinical trial. The clinical trials must be completed first and further studies must be made before we push for booster shots,” sabi ni Palmones.

Kahit na may pitong brands ng COVID-19 vaccines ang Pilipinas (Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik V, and Sinopharm), maaari lamang magamit ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng emergency use authorization (EUA).

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Hinikayat din ni Palmones, dating congressman, ang bawat Pilipino na kumpletuhin ang basic dosage laban sa COVID-19 bago hangarin ang extra shots or boosters.

“We have budgetary constraints for the 100 percent vaccination, including the minors,”sabi ni Palmones.

Nauna nang sinabi ni Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Benhur Abalos na ilegal ang booster shots.

Samantala, nanawagan ang pangulo ng AGHAM na seryosohin ang implementasyon ng quarantine restrictions atilang health safety protocols.

“It’s only in the Philippines where you can see joggers, kids playing on the streets, and ambulant vendors trading their commerce during lockdowns,”sabi ni Palmones.

Ellson Quismorio