Current vaccines could still protect vs. serious illnesses due to XBB, XBC —health expert

COVID-19 vaccines that are currently administered in the country could still protect the population against serious diseases brought by infections of the Omicron XBB subvariant and XBC variant, an emergency medicine expert said Thursday.

Dr. Ted Herbosa, chairman of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine, said vaccines remain effective in preventing severe and critical illnesses due to COVID-19, or even death, especially among the vulnerable sectors.

“Importante pa rin na magpabakuna tayo kasi ang findings naman ay lahat naman ng variants na ‘to are still naa-apektuhan pa rin ng effect ng bakuna. Useful pa rin ang ating mga primary vaccines at binibigay na booster para ma-prevent pa rin itong XBB at XBC,” he said in a public briefing.

(It is still important that we get vaccinated because the findings show that all variants are still affected by the vaccines. Our primary vaccines and boosters are still useful to prevent XBB and XBC.)

The Philippines has already recorded 81 cases of Omicron XBB subvariant and 193 cases of the XBC variant as of Tuesday.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the XBB is a recombinant of two Omicron subvariants, while the XBC is a recombinant of the Omicron BA.2 and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants. Both the XBB and XBC have “potential immune-escape characteristics.”

Herbosa said this immune evasion ability is a concern for health professionals, thus the call for continuous vaccination and wearing of face masks in indoor spaces.

“Isang kinabahala ng mga eksperto dito ay the fact na nare-reinfect ‘yung na-infect na. So nagkakaron siya ng tinatawag namin na immune-escape. Kahit ikaw ay may antibody na o nabakunahan na or nagka-previous infections, apparently, nagkakaron pa rin ng symptoms,” he said.

(One concern of the experts here is the fact that those who have already been infected with COVID-19 are getting reinfected. An immune-escape is happening. Even if you have antibodies, have been vaccinated, or were infected before, apparently, you could still have symptoms.)

Based on the DOH’s national COVID-19 vaccination dashboard, at least 73.4 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, while 20.3 million have received their booster shots.

The DOH said they are continuously implementing surveillance and monitoring activities to ensure that threats of possible outbreaks due to XBB and XBC would be addressed. 

Vaccines for aged 5 and below

Meanwhile, Herbosa expressed apprehension regarding giving COVID-19 jabs to kids aged five years old and below due to the lack of risk-benefit analysis of the vaccines for them.

He said that children that young have a lower fatality rate compared to senior citizens when infected with the coronavirus.

“Medyo mas guarded ako diyan or cautious sapagkat alam ninyo, mga bata ‘yan, mga less than 6 years old. ‘Pag ‘yan binakunahan mo at magkaron ng side effects, lifelong ang epekto niyan,” he said.

(I'm a bit more guarded or cautious about that because these are children less than 6 years old. If they get side effects because of the vaccination, it will be lifelong for them.)

DOH officer-in-charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire earlier said the DOH is open to allowing the vaccination against COVID-19 of children aged four years old and younger pending the results of the evaluation of the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Further, Herbosa also welcomed reports on the approval of the Sinovac’s CoronaVac anti-COVID-19 vaccine for children aged six to 17, as an alternative for the mRNA vaccines currently available in the country for the said age group.

“Matagal nang hinihintay ‘to ng marami kong kakilala kasi ‘yung ibang magulang, takot ibigay ‘yung mRNA vaccines na experimental doon sa kanilang mga anak,” he said.

(Many have been waiting for this because some parents were afraid to give the experimental mRNA vaccines to their children.) — RSJ, GMA News