Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 23) – Only 2.45% of over one million individuals who received COVID-19 vaccines in the country have experienced side effects, Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo reported on Friday.
He said 497,837 have received their first dose of the CoronaVac vaccine made by Chinese drugmaker Sinovac, while 508,674 got their first shot of the vaccine developed by British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca.
Ninety-five percent or 24,330 showed minor and non-serious side effects, such as temporary high blood pressure, headaches, pain in the injection side, dizziness, rashes, or fever. The FDA also reported 344 serious adverse events.
There were also 24 deaths recorded after immunization, but Domingo said 19 were found to be coincidental or not related to the vaccine. Of the 24 fatalities, 11 contracted severe COVID-19 before the full effect of the vaccine set in, eight died of heart attack or stroke, three succumbed to other infectious diseases, while two are still under investigation.
Still no vaccine indemnification guidelines
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is fast tracking the guidelines for the compensation of vaccinees who will experience adverse effects following immunization (AEFI).
Almost two months since the government rolled out its vaccination program for priority groups, the state insurer has yet to release the regulations. But Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said PhilHealth expects the guidelines to be released next week.
Cabotaje added that despite the absence of the indemnification guidelines, those who need urgent help are given assistance by PhilHealth through its case rates.
The COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February to speed up the immunization program. It allocated ₱500 million for the COVID-19 National Vaccine Immunity Fund.
The country has vaccinated over 1.5 million Filipinos since it began rolling out the immunization program on March 1.
