Experts from different parts of Asia attended the second international roundtable discussion co-organized by the Philippine College of Physicians, Chiang Mai University Faculty of Public Health, and the Indonesian Society of Respirology. Here, some of Asia’s leading infectious disease experts presented new data on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine boosters when it comes to preventing severe outcomes and saving lives.
Present in the event were Dr. Diana Payawal, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, Dr. Anna Ong-Lim of the University of the Philippines, Dr. Rontgene Solante, infectious disease expert and Vice President of PCP. From other Asian countries, Dr Suwat Chariyalertsak, of Chiang Mai University Thailand, Dr Christopher Lee of Hospital Sungai Buloh, Malaysia, and Dr. Bruce Mungall, a vaccine expert in Singapore, also participated in the RTD.
From 2011 to 2012, Dr. Solante served as President of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Disease (PSMID), which is an association of specialists that aims to curtail the spread of infectious diseases in the Philippines. Currently, he is the PSMID’s Chair of Media and Communication and Standards of Care Subcommittee in Tuberculosis.
He also serves different departments and organizations as chair. He is the Chairperson of the Section of Infectious Disease and Committee on Infection Control at Medical Center Manila, Chair of Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Fellowship Program at San Lazaro Hospital. To add, Dr. Solante serves as Co-Chair of Standards of Care Subcommittee on Sexually Transmitted Infections and Adviser of Standards of Care subcommittee on HIV Adult Immunization.
While holding various roles for different organizations, Dr. Solante also dedicates his time working as an Assistant Clinical Professor of the Department of Medicine at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMMC).
They are pushing for more awareness about vaccine boosters and its benefit for everyone. Although the vaccine doesn’t protect people from getting infected with Covid, it greatly helps in preventing severe disease caused by the virus. Dr. Anna Ong-Lim said that when used as a homologous schedule, “three doses of current vaccines provide protection against Omicron related severe disease and death. When used as a mixed schedule, three doses of current vaccines provide equivalent protection against severe disease and death.”
Dr. Ong-Lim also explained the difference between efficacy and effectiveness. Efficacy refers to the outcome in clinical trial setting while effectiveness is determined in the real world. Efficacy data is critical for securing approval from regulators while effectiveness data reflects what is happening in the real world outside of clinical trials. “All current vaccines are highly effective at protecting against severe disease and death,” she said.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante also gave emphasis on the importance of getting jabs. “There is no room for complacency,” he said. Waiting for variant specific or next generation vaccines could be dangerous and data has proven the vaccines to be safe which gives us the confidence to broaden booster coverage according to Dr. Solante.
Regional experts also gave their pieces. Dr. Bruce Mungall of AstraZeneca says that “While there could be short-lived effects after vaccination like fever and swelling and people recover, adverse events are often very rare.” Dr Suwat Chariyalertsak from Thailand’s Chiang Mai University pointed out the importance of boosters. “The 3rd and 4th doses provided high level of protection against severe disease caused by Omicron.” he said. Dr. Christopher Lee from Malaysia’s Hospital Sungai Buloh reiterated the importance of booster for the vulnerable segment and the need to broaden booster coverage. “Vaccine work and they work very well. Boosting is a main part of Covid19 vaccination and serious side effects are small. It’s a no brainer.” Lee said.
Dr. Imran Rodriguez from the Philippine Department of Health also gave a report on vaccine coverage all over the country. He also shared the goals of the “PinasLakas” Vaccination Program of the government which aims to encourage Filipinos to take their booster shots. “How we get the message across that getting vaccinated is safe and it protects them amidst all their misconception. Vaccinating our communities is really one of the most crucial public health interventions that any country can have.” Dr. Rodriguez said. As of September 7, 2022, Dr. Rodriguez reported that 97.82% have recovered from the 3.8 million cases reported.#
