healthcare – Page 8 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COVID-19 Crisis: DOH Secretary says bivalent vaccines are effective against Omicron FE.1

June 26, 2023June 21, 2023carlocarrasco

As the issuance of bivalent vaccines for COVID-19 is going on nationwide, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa announced that the said vaccines are effective against the newest Omicron subvariant FE.1, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Bivalent COVID-19 vaccines remain to be an effective tool to protect people against the recently detected Omicron subvariant FE.1, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said Wednesday.

During the rollout of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccination in the Philippines, the newly appointed chief of the Department of Health (DOH) was asked if the bivalent jabs are also effective against the FE.1, which is a sublineage of the Omicron XBB subvariant.

“Yes. Generally, because this is still Omicron and nilagay na ‘yung Omicron doon sa bivalent vaccine, meron nang cross immunity ‘yan kasi ‘yung mga antigens pareho lang even if it’s a different subvariant. Hindi mahihinto ‘yan,” Herbosa said.

(Yes. Generally, because this FE.1 is still Omicron, and the Omicron has been put in the bivalent vaccine. There is already cross immunity because the antigens are the same even if it’s a different subvariant. It won’t stop.)

The first case of FE.1 or XBB.1.18.1.1 was found in the genome sequencing conducted on May 29 to June 12, 2023, based on DOH’s latest COVID-19 biosurveillance report.

The DOH said FE.1 was added to the list of variants under monitoring by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on June 1, 2023, and was initially flagged “for its increasing global prevalence,” being detected in 35 countries so far.

The agency, however, stressed that currently available evidence for the subvariant does not suggest any differences in disease severity and/or clinical manifestations compared to the original Omicron variant.

While admitting that he is yet to familiarize with the characteristics of the FE.1, Herbosa said it may also exhibit the same symptoms as those with other Omicron subvariants.

“If you have upper respiratory symptoms [like] sipon, sore throat, ubo, ‘yan ang most common. Occasionally, kagaya sa Arcturus, meron sore eyes. Itong FE.1 I don’t know if ‘yun o pareho lang. Ma-identify dapat ng genetic studies,” he added.

(If you have upper respiratory symptoms like cold, sore throat, and cough, those are the most common symptoms. Occasionally, like Arcturus, there could be sore eyes. I don’t know if it’s the same with FE.1. It should be identified by genetic studies.)

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Did anyone from your local community avail of the bivalent vaccine? Does your local government have bivalent vaccines already?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

COVID-19 Crisis: Bivalent vaccines being distributed

June 15, 2023June 14, 2023carlocarrasco

The bivalent vaccines for COVID-19 are being distributed in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other regions here in the Philippines, according to a news report by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Specifically, the patients who are qualified to receive the shots are the elderly, individuals with co-morbidity, and health care workers.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Health (DOH) has begun distributing the 390,000 bivalent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines donated by the Lithuanian government.

“As we speak, I think they have already been redistributed to the different region(al offices) of the Department of Health,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a Palace press briefing on Tuesday.

Herbosa noted that most of the jabs went to the National Capital Region while the rest were distributed to the other regions.

The elderly, individuals with co-morbidity, and health care workers will be prioritized in the administration of the bivalent vaccines as booster shots.

The prioritized population must be vaccinated immediately as the bivalent doses only have a six-month shelf-life upon delivery.

“So, kapag binili mo iyan (if you buy them) out of the shelf, like this one, this donation, they end on November 23, that’s the expiry date,” he said.

Although the World Health Organization has already declared an end to Covid-19 as a public health emergency, Herbosa emphasized that the public must not be complacent in its fight against the virus and get vaccinated or receive booster shots.

He explained that getting infected could still lead to death, especially among individuals with co-morbidity.

Acknowledging that the donated doses are not enough, he said the DOH is negotiating to acquire more donations and considering procurement of additional jabs.

However, there are “snags and issues,” which may slow down the procurement process, he said.

“So, the issue of the vaccine is in terms of the EUA (emergency use authorization). So, to procure it, kailangan ma-i-rehistro sa ating (they have to be registered with the) FDA (Food and Drug Administration). But, we are trying hard to get all these bivalent (vaccines),” he said.

Earlier, the DOH reported that 1.002 million doses of Pfizer’s bivalent jabs from the COVAX Facility would arrive in March.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you qualified to receive a third booster shot? Has your local government been distributing the bivalent vaccines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: New Health Secretary vows to acquire more bivalent vaccines

June 13, 2023June 8, 2023carlocarrasco

If you are qualified to receive a 3^rd COVID-19 booster shot but you were unable to avail of it due to a lack of supply, then you might be happy to know that the new Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa declared he will acquire additional bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Thursday vowed to acquire more bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as he admits that the country currently does not have enough supply.

In an ambush interview, the new chief of the Department of Health (DOH) said that the more than 390,000 doses of bivalent vaccines donated by Lithuania have already been rolled out, mostly in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“May programa tayo ngayon to acquire as many of the bivalent vaccines… Kulang ‘yung 390,000, we need to get more,” Herbosa said.

(We have a program now to acquire as many of the bivalent vaccines… The 390,000 doses are not enough, we need to get more.)

He, however, acknowledged that there are “technical difficulties” in obtaining the jabs that give protection against the original COVID-19 strain, SARS-CoV-2, and Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.

“Syempre mahirap, may mga technical difficulties to acquiring the bivalents pero nandiyan tayo. We’re trying to get it and I will push for getting more of these, especially sa mga vulnerable, sa healthcare workers, kasi nagwe-wane na ‘yung dati nilang bakuna so kailangang mabigyan na sila ng bivalent. We’ll try to acquire that, promise ko ‘yan,” Herbosa added.

(Of course it is difficult as there are technical difficulties to acquiring the bivalent jabs, but we are there. We’re trying to get it and I will push for getting more of these, especially for the vulnerable, for the healthcare workers, because their previous vaccine is waning, so they need to receive the bivalent. We’ll try to acquire that, I promise that.)

Currently, only adults belonging to A1 (healthcare workers) and A2 (senior citizens) categories are allowed to receive the Pfizer bivalent vaccine as third booster dose. They need to wait at least four months after receiving their second booster shot before they take the next one.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you have already received four COVID-19 shots – including the two booster shots – do you really need an additional booster shot now? How long has it been since your 2^nd booster shot was injected into your body?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

COVID-19 Crisis: Guidelines for 2nd COVID-19 booster shots for Philippines general population approved

April 21, 2023April 19, 2023carlocarrasco

In the latest development regarding COVID-19 here in the Philippines, it was reported via the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the guidelines regarding 2^nd booster shots for members of the general population have been approved. Specifically, the Department of Health (DOH) referred to healthy adults at least 18-years-old can avail of the said booster shots and there are three specific COVID-19 vaccines to be used.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The guidelines on the administration of the second booster of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines for the general population have been signed.

The vaccines to be used as second booster shots are AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Pfizer.

“We already signed the guidelines nitong isang araw lamang at eto po ay ipapakalat na sa ating mga (just the other day and we’ll disseminate this to our) local government units,” Department of Health Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a media forum on Tuesday.

The jabs would be given to all healthy adults aged 18 years old and above.

“Pwede rin pong ibigay sa mga buntis at saka (They may also be given to pregnant and) lactating women of 18 years old and above,” she said. “Maaari rin po ibigay sa (They may also be given to) immunocompromised populations 18 years old and above, regardless of their priority group classification.”

To ensure that the booster shots are accessible to the communities, Vergeire encouraged the local government units to integrate Covid-19 vaccination in their daily health programs and services in the primary health care facilities.

“Para hindi na po natin kailangan mag-upa ng mga (So that we no longer need to rent) mass vaccination sites,” she added.

As of March 20, a total of 78,443,972 or 100.44 percent of the country’s target population (78,100,578) have been vaccinated against Covid-19, including 8.7 million senior citizens, 10.2 million adolescents, and 5.6 million children.

The above report ended stating that 23,811,248 have received booster shots out of the fully vaccinated (2 shots) population.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? How many people in your local community have been waiting for the availability of 2^nd booster shots? How long did they have to wait? Do you think that the DOH should tackle next the potential 5^th COVID-19 shot (3^rd booster shot) for people who already received two booster shots? Do you think this latest move by the DOH will prevent further COVID-19 vaccines from going to waste?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Las Piñas City Government procures new dental health bus

April 11, 2023April 10, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Las Piñas, the City Government procured a brand new dental health bus which was inspected by Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The said bus will be used for the dental health needs of the local residents.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice-Mayor April Aguilar inspected the city’s newly-acquired dental health bus that is expected to boost dental health care of residents on Tuesday, April 4.

Aguilar said the new dental health bus aims to provide quality dental health services such as oral health check-ups, prophylaxis, and tooth extraction to communities with limited access to health centers.

*Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar-Nery inspected the equipment inside the brand new dental health bus. (photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

*The newest dental health bus of the city. (photo source – City of Las Piñas Facebook page)*

She said the bus is in addition to the recently procured 16 dental chairs which were distributed to different health centers in the city. The mayor said the dental health bus will be deployed regularly in areas needing oral health care services.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? What do you think about the quality of the equipment the new dental health bus has?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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26th cityhood anniversary and 116th founding anniversary of Las Piñas City celebrated

March 29, 2023March 27, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Las Piñas, the City Government organized the dual celebrations of the 26^th cityhood anniversary as well as the 116^th founding anniversary, according to news report by the Manila Bulletin. The celebrations started this past Sunday (March 26) and there will be related activities days after.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Las Piñas City government celebrated its 26th cityhood and 116th founding anniversary on Sunday, March 26.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar said the activities for the cityhood and founding anniversary commenced on March 27 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The City Health Office (CHO) conducted health and wellness programs at the Verdant covered court. They included free laboratory tests on FBS (fasting blood sugar), cholesterol and blood typing, HIV screening, and nutrition education.

Dental services such as oral examination, prophylaxis, and oral health kit were also provided.

The CHO also offered immunization for children, pneumonia vaccines for senior citizens, and a family planning caravan.

Free chest x-ray services were given at the CHO located at the City Hall grounds from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Aside from health and wellness, a cityhood mega job fair will also be held at the ground floor atrium of Robinsons Place for the city’s jobseekers.

The mayor said the city government will likewise accept applications and renewal of the green card.

The celebrations will continue on March 28 through a free vaccines and deworming drive for cats and dogs, as well as the distribution of free seedlings and fertilizers at the Verdant covered court from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon only.

Another free chest x-ray rollout will be conducted on March 30 at the Aguilar Sport Complex in Pilar Village from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Couples who want to get (married) may join the “Kasalanag Bayan” (mass wedding) to be hosted by the city government on March 31.

The city government will also offer a cultural show organized by the Las Pinas Tourism and Cultural Office (TCO).

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Were you able to avail of any of the above mentioned free medical services?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Las Piñas City Wins Awards for Efficient Healthcare and Outstanding Compliance on Utilizing DOH Funding

October 18, 2022October 16, 2022carlocarrasco

This past weekend, the City Government of Las Piñas announced the good news that they won two awards for efficient healthcare programs as well as outstanding financial compliance related to the utilization of funding from the Department of Health (DOH).

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…

Local Government Officials of Las Piñas City gather at the 35th Anniversary of the Department of Health Metro Manila Center for Health Development and the recognition ceremony of cities with high quality of service.

The City of Las Piñas was given recognition for its outstanding financial compliance in efficiently utilizing DOH’s funding and its prompt and correct liquidation.

Las Piñas was also awarded a plaque of appreciation for its support for different healthcare programs providing equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services in accordance with universal health care.

Present at the event were City Vice Mayor April Aguilar and several doctors of the City Health Office headed by OIC Health Officer Dr. Juliana Gonzales.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this recent achievement by the City Government? Do the awards convince you that the City Government is truly disciplined and working efficiently on serving the constituents?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: First booster shot recipients of Muntinlupa City surpass 180,000

August 29, 2022August 28, 2022carlocarrasco

In the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the number of people who received their first booster shots for COVID-19 has surpassed 180,000 while the number of 2^nd booster shots recipients exceeded 27,000, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government reported that the number of adults who have received their first booster shot of the Covid-19 vaccine has increased to over 181,000.

It launched its “PinasLakas” campaign on Aug. 15, a program of the national government that aims to fully vaccinate 90 percent of senior citizens and increase booster shot coverage of the target population to 50 percent during the 100 days of the Marcos administration.

Data from the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of Aug. 25, the number of adults who were given their first booster dose rose to 181,071, an increase of 3,181 recipients from 177,890 as of Aug. 15.

The total is equivalent to 40.92 percent of the target population of 442,517 or 80 percent of the total Muntinlupa population of 553,146.

The second booster shot recipients also increased to 27,306, up by 2,394 from 24,912 recorded on Aug. 15.

Muntinlupa’s fully vaccinated adults totaled 519,861 or 117.5 percent of the target population.

In addition, there are 43,037 minors aged 12 to 17 who have been fully vaccinated in Muntinlupa or 76.17 percent of the total population of 56,499. Of the fully vaccinated, 5,623 have received their first booster shot.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you believe that anti-vaccine fanatics continue to lie to Muntinlupa residents to prevent them from taking their respective vaccines or booster shots?

If you are a local resident who needs to get vaccinated or boosted in Muntinlupa City, contact the MunCoVac or visit them at https://www.facebook.com/MunCoVac

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: During SONA, President Marcos declares no more lockdown

July 28, 2022July 26, 2022carlocarrasco

During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., stated that there would be no more lockdown in the Philippines in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Take note that new cases of COVID-19 have been rising nationwide but they have not reached the point of overwhelming the healthcare system.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

“We will no longer implement a lockdown.”

This was among the most resounding remarks President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. pronounced during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 25, that lasted for more than an hour.

The President said while there are new variants of the coronavirus being discovered at the present, the Philippines can no longer afford to go through another lockdown, so he pronounced that under his administration, there will no longer be lockdown.

“Sa ating sitwasyon ng pangkalusugan, nariyan pa rin ang banta ng Covid-19 lalo’t may mga nadidiskubreng bagong variant ng coronavirus, pero hindi na natin kakayanin ang isa pang lockdown (In our health situation, the threats of new Covid-19 variants are still here, but we can no longer afford another lockdown),” Marcos said.

“Wala na tayong gagawing lockdown (We will no longer implement a lockdown),” the President added, earning an applause from the legislature.

Marcos said health protocols will, however, be implemented depending on the current situation.

For added context, watch this Inquirer news video below.

In relation to President Marcos’ remark of no more lockdown, the Department of Health (DOH) it will act to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system. The DOH shall carry out the directives of the President on recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic while improving access to primary and specialty healthcare. Both the DOH and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have been directed by Marcos to organize another rollout of booster shots for COVID-19.

Personally, I strongly agree that there should be no more lockdown even if there would be another surge of COVID-19 cases. As we have seen before, a single lockdown caused heavy damage on the economy (limited or shut businesses, loss of income, increased unemployment) and on people. I believe our nation has what it takes to live on with COVID-19, move forward and rise up stronger from the crisis. To achieve true forward momentum, there is still the need to organize wide-scale COVID-19 vaccination operations (note: the national government has to deal with stored vaccines nearing expiration), declare a lot more people eligible for the 2^nd booster shot (note: DOH still needs to do any real work on this) and convince people strongly to follow health protocols. There is also the possibility of modifying the COVID-19 alert level system. What President Marcos declared in his speech is clearly related to the COVID-19 exit strategy.

In relation to all of these, I urge you and members of your local community to get vaccinated or boosted, and keep following health protocols to truly achieve improved resistance against COVID-19. Never let the anti-vaccine fanatics fool you, even though they become violent and/or more aggressive towards you and your local community with their lying and fearmongering.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about President Marcos’ no more lockdown remark? Do you believe that the Philippines can move forward with COVID-19? Has anyone from the anti-vaccine extremists been hounding you, or even harassing you? Are many members of your local community eager to get their 2^nd booster shots?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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COVID-19 Crisis: OCTA’s Dr. Guido David states that the growth rate of NCR COVID-19 cases is slowing down

July 14, 2022July 12, 2022carlocarrasco

Even though it has been confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) that the nation registered more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases for the period of July 4 to 10, 2022, Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research stated that there is a slowing down of the growth rate at 32%, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…

The COVID-19 wave in the National Capital Region could already be close to peaking following the decrease of the weekly growth rate, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said Tuesday.

In a tweet, David said it is possible the COVID-19 wave in the region could have peaked already, citing the decrease of growth rate from 57% on July 4 to 32% on July 11.

He said the positivity rate was 10.9% as of July 10. The positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested.

“The indicators show a slowing down of the growth rate in cases and there is a chance that cases in the NCR are peaking or have already peaked,” David said.

“The trends should be clearer after a week. The seven-day average in cases in the NCR was 710 as of July 11, equivalent to an ADAR (average daily attack rate) of 4.93% per day per 100,000,” he added.

The ADAR pertains to the incidence showing the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.

Now that you have read the above news, it is important right now to get yourselves vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19 not just for your sake but also for your family’s safety as well as your job. I urge you all to reject whatever pieces of misinformation and distorted details of COVID-19 that the anti-vaccine fanatics throw at you.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this new development? Do you think that the NCR won’t end up with a higher average of new COVID-19 cases over the next few weeks? Have you encountered the anti-vaccine fanatics lately? Are you aware that anti-vaccine fanatics have no real solutions to offer with regards to the COVID-19 crisis everyone is struggling with?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

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