FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Complied by: Karina Louise B. de la Cruz, MD
QUESTION
Can a person decline the vaccination?
If I have already recovered from
COVID19, do I still need to get
vaccinated?
When is immunity form COVID19
expected after the vaccine?
Is it safe to get a vaccine if I have an Yes, people with underlying medical
underlying medical condition?
What underlying conditions are allowed to
get the vaccine?
Can a breastfeeding mother get the
vaccine?
Can I choose the brand of vaccine?
ANSWER
Yes, anyone may opt to decline the
vaccination by signing a waiver. This will
forfeit his slot according to the
prioritization of eligible groups and the
person shall be scheduled after all the
priority population has been vaccinated.
Yes, because reinfection is possible. After
full recovery, consult your doctor if you
may get the vaccine. If you were treated
for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies
or convalescent plasma, you should wait
90 days before getting a COVID19
vaccine.
In 2 weeks time from the first dose;
stronger immunity noted after the second
dose
conditions can receive it provided that
they have not had an immediate or
severe allergic reaction to a COVID19
vaccine or to any of the ingredients in the
vaccine.
 Hypertension
 Diabetes mellitus
 Heart disease
 Chronic kidney disease
 Cancer
 On anticoagulants
 COPD
 Obesity
 Smokers
Currently, no data on the safety of
COVID19 vaccines yet. People who are
breastfeeding and are part of the group
recommended to receive the vaccine,
such as frontline workers with
unavoidable high risk of exposure, may
choose to be vaccinated.
WHO does not recommend discontinuing
breastfeeding after vaccination.
No. The national government will

Can I get a COVID19 vaccine at the
same time as another vaccine?
Do I still need to wear mask and face
shield and avoid close contact after
getting vaccinated or until I get the
vaccine?
What is the difference of the UK variant from
the usual coronavirus?
Are the COVID19 vaccines really
necessary?
How are we sure that the vaccines are
safe?
vaccinate based on the prioritization and
scheduled delivery of vaccines. Due to
the limited supply of the vaccine, we will
not be able to choose the brand.
*If a certain Philippine FDA approved
brand will be delivered first, it will
automatically be given to the first priority
eligible group.
*Wait at least 14 days before getting any
other vaccine, including flu vaccine, if you
get your COVID19 vaccine first.
*If you get another vaccine first, wait at
least 14 days before getting your
COVID19 vaccine.
*If you give simultaneously, maybe the
person will react to the other vaccine thus
we may misconstrue it that the effect
came from the COVID19 vaccine.
YES
UK variant – spike protein is more
adhesive and can attach more easily to
the ACE2 protein, which means it is more
contagious in a way.
As we continue to be in this pandemic,
the best way to stop this virus is to build
enough COVID19 immunity. No virus has
ever been eliminated itself by inducing
natural immunity. Natural immunity is the
type of immunity you get after acquiring
the infection. It is only by HERD
IMMUNITY induced by vaccination that
was able to eliminate viruses in the past.
Basic premise: Vaccines to be made
available to the public are generally safe.
Because they will not be made generally
available if they are not safe. Data from
large phase vaccine trials underwent
extensive review by several groups:
published data, global groups (WHO,
FDA) and independent scientists and
experts.
Authorization for emergency use: EUA

Can a COVID19 vaccine make me sick
with COVID19?
After getting the vaccine, will I test
positive for COVID19 on a viral test?
If I recovered from COVID19, do I still
need to be vaccinated?
Can a person with active COVID19
infection get the vaccine?
Why are HCWs being prioritized in the
vaccination program?
will be granted ONLY to vaccines meeting
the Philippines FDA safety standards.
*Only two vaccines are granted EUA
(Pfizer and Astrozenica). Any LGU or
private companies cant buy or procure
these vaccines because these have not
been released as a certificate of product
registry by FDA, it is still a EUA.
Therefore, it is only the national govt that
can procure these vaccines
No. None of the current vaccines contain
the live virus. This does not make us sick
with COVID19.
No. none of the current vaccines can
cause a positive result on the viral swab
test. Since our PCR test can only detect
live component of the vaccine.
However if your body develops an
immune response which the goal of
vaccination, there is a possibility that you
may test positive on some antibody test.
When we talk about antibody test, we are
checking the presence of antibodies in
our system, so we can possibly get a
positive result on an antibody test but not
on a PCR test.
Yes. Due to severe health risks and
reinfection is possible, vaccine should be
offered regardless of whether you already
had COVID19 infection. The immunity
someone gains from having an infection
varies from person to person. Early
evidence suggest the natural immunity
we get from the infection may not last
very long. It may last around 6 months.
So after 6 months, we would no longer
have the natural immunity that is why we
need the passive immunity through the
vaccination.
Not right away. People who have the
infection should wait until they are
recovered.
*mild to moderate: 14 days
*severe: 21 days
Prioritization is an urgent and excellent
public health strategy in COVID19.

Who should not be vaccinated?
Do COVID19 vaccines have side effects?
What if I don’t get side effects does it
4 reasons:
1. Protecting HWCs will protect
the availability of essential
health services critical in the
pandemic response. If all
HCWs are infected, who will
work in the hospitals? who will
take care of patients? Thus it is
prudent to prioritize HCWs.
2. HCWs are at high risk acquiring
the infection and risks for
accompanying morbidity and
mortality.
3. Prioritization of HCWs is
supported by the principle of
reciprocity. They have been
putting themselves and also
their family at higher risk for the
sake of others.
4. HCWs who readily understands
the pros and cons of
immunization and
implementation of COVID19
vaccine is expected without
difficulty with compliance.
The only absolute contraindication is an
allergy to the vaccine – an allergy to a
previous dose of COVID19 vaccine and
any of its component. The main
component is polyethylene glycol and
polysorbate which is found in
colonoscopy preparation or laxative. If
you are allergic to these, then do not get
the vaccines. If you have any food
allergies, you can still get the vaccine.
Any vaccine have side effects. Even the
vaccines we give to babies give side
effects. Babies may have slight fever
afterwards or even pain at the injection
site. Thus, side effects to vaccines are
not fairly new.
Yes but they are not necessarily bad.
Side effects are caused as part of the
immune response to the vaccine.
No. Many more people will get the
 mean that the vaccine didn’t work?
Is it okay to get different types of COVID
vaccines?
Can a lactating woman be vaccinated?
Are thre any medications that should be
stopped when you are vaccinated?
vaccine and not experience side effects.
No, vaccine brands are not
interchangeable at this time. WHO
recommends that the same product
should be used for both doses.
Yes. WHO says breastfeeding offers
substantial health benefits to lactating
women and their breastfed children. Also,
they do not recommend discontinuing
breastfeeding if mother is vaccinated.
There are no studies yet about cross
reactivity with COVID19 and medications.
No medications are listed as
contraindication for vaccine.

Who should be vaccinated?

Eligible Population
c) Barangay Health
Workers including
Barangay Health
Emergency Response
Teams
Definition of Terms 
 ALL Barangay Health Workers in active service
 ALL active members of the BHERTs (based on
appropriate documents stating designation as
BHERTs team, e.g. LGU EO, resolution, and/or
ordinance)
  Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) and its regional and local counterparts
o All employees  manning close-setting
facilities and long-term care facilities, e.g.
orphanage, home for the aged, women’s
crisis centers.
o Social workers providing social amelioration,
and social services in the communities
 Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG)
o Those hired by DILG as contact tracers
    d) Other NGAs  (active service) 
 Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP
under DILG)
o All employees and health workers assigned
in direct contact with Persons Deprived of
Liberty (PDLs) such as jail officers, wardens,
and/or guards 
 Bureau of Corrections (BuCor under DOJ)
o All employees and health workers assigned
in direct contact with Persons Deprived of
Liberty (PDLs) such as jail officers, wardens,
and/or guards 

 
Definition of Terms 
Eligible Population

2:  Indigent Senior  ALL indigent senior citizens registered and as determined by
Citizens the Department of Social Welfare and Development

3:  Remaining Senior  ALL senior citizens (not categorized as indigent) registered

Citizens and as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development
4: Remaining  ALL indigent population as determined by the Department of
Indigent Population  Social Welfare and Development 

 All enlisted uniformed personnel in active services under the:

o Armed Forces of the Philippines
5: Uniformed o Philippine National Police
personnel  o Philippine Coast Guard
o Bureau of Fire Protection
o Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit 
What are the common side effects of the COVID19 vaccine?