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Philippines against the COVID-19 Delta Variant

Being more contagious and lethal than the usual SARS infection, COVID-19 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant raises a bigger threat to the country as it first hit the Philippines in May 2021, with the number of cases increasing to 64 this July 24, 2021.

The Department of Health noted that the continued enforcement of strict border control measures is needed to prevent the entry of the COVID-19 variant into the Philippines. Following the conclusion of the phylogenetic analysis of the Delta variant cases, it was revealed that the infections were linked to other cases in the Philippines, hinting at another wave of cases if not prevented through contact tracing.

The DOH noted that it has intensified its COVID-19 response following the discovery of local cases of the Delta variant. This strategy involves implementing a four-door approach to prevent, detect, isolate, and treat cases. The government and various private and public organizations have been working together to ensure that there are enough dedicated beds and oxygen tanks for patients with COVID-19-related illnesses in the Philippines. Aside from this, the private sector has also been supplying critical care equipment and medicine to help boost the country's healthcare.

The Department of Health encourages the public to maintain their regular participation in the immunization program and in protecting themselves against COVID-19. The public is also advised to avoid unnecessary trips and gatherings. Aside from these, the Department of Health also encourages local officials to step up their efforts in handling the outbreak.

With two massive breakouts heightening the curve in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte emphasizes that he is worried about the Delta variant as “the Philippines can no longer afford another wave of infections.”

[societyznetwork]

An Inexpensive Vaccine Doesn't Mean It's Ineffective

In January 2021, local government units began securing COVID-19 vaccines for distribution in their areas; Pasig City as well as several other local governments, including the cities of Makati, Manila, Quezon, Taguig, Las Pinas, Antipolo, Baguio, Iloilo, and more made agreements with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company to acquire AstraZeneca Vaccines.

The widely held belief that the reason for it being the first choice of LGUs is because of its cheaper price that only cost php 610 for two doses and this has led some individuals to question the vaccine's effectiveness. When you hear that fact alone, it may really undermine the LGUs intention and the vaccine’s reputation but let’s not jump to conclusions and try to assess the underlying facts of the vaccine. The first of which is the Vaccine’s development process; with the AstraZeneca Vaccine, scientists have used a fraction of the coronavirus's spike protein and combined it with a harmless virus. They discovered that the spike protein on the surface of the virus is what allows COVID 19 to get into the human cells and cause infections so they plan to develop a safe method to introduce that protein into the body. When it is introduced into our cells, the immune system will produce antibodies and activate T-Cells to destroy the spike protein, training the immune system to recognize that virus and fight it immediately once it reappears.

Trials have found that this has a 70% efficacy rate at preventing severe COVID-19. According to AstraZeneca’s press release, "The vaccine's simple supply chain and our no-profit pledge and commitment to broad, equitable and timely access means it will be affordable and globally available, supplying hundreds of millions of doses on approval," The high efficacy rate and their pledged not to profit during pandemic provided the individuals a satisfaction, but owing to the current blood clot concerns, many people are yet again hesitant to get the AstraZeneca Vaccine. However, the FDA declared that the Philippines would continue using AstraZeneca since there had only been extremely rare cases of blood clots and that the benefits exceed the potential risk. Recent research has also revealed that two doses of the AstraZeneca Vaccine are efficacious and can protect people against the New Delta Variant, which is now spreading rapidly in the Philippines and many other countries. On the bright side, AstraZeneca is universally available as the company granted all countries the authorization to use it in order to maximize the production and have as many people be vaccinated as necessary.

Apart from AstraZeneca's affordable price, availability and high efficacy, it is also accessible to many countries because it doesn't require specific temperatures and can be stored for at least six months at a normal fridge temperature of 2 to 7 degrees Celsius. As the world experiences extreme crises which we don’t know for sure when will ever end, the duty of the government is to make it affordable to the citizens so everyone could be vaccinated. We all want the same goal here and that is to beat and end the pandemic. This has clearly explained the company's purpose which is to provide a safe and cheap vaccine for everyone. furthermore it was proven here that the local governments have good intentions and great grounds for choosing it.