COVID-19: A Year

Later…What does 2021

hold?
CHRISTOPHER P. TOMAS, DMD, RN
Basic facts
about COVID-
19 COVID-19 disease is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-
CoV-2. The virus is mainly transmitted from person to person via
droplets, contact and fomites. It is transmitted when an infected
person/individual coughs, sneezes or exhales producing droplets
of saliva containing the COVID-19 virus. COVID-19 primarily
SYMPTOMS affects the lungs but can also affect other organs.

Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Source: DOH
 COVID-19 Cases (As of February 25, 2021)

As of February 24, 2021 – As of February 22, 2021 –

DOH Official website Las Piñas City fb page
CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)
SDO – Las Piñas Situation Report (SitRep) No. 79
As of January 5, 2021 12:00 NN

Confirmed Cases: 49 Latest Issuances and Advisories

Deaths: 0
Active: 0 (L) 0 (TP) 1
(NTP)
Recovered: 11 (L) 23
(TP) 14 (NTP)
Probable Cases: 0 (L)
0 (TP) 0 (NTP)
Suspect Cases: 0 (L) 0
(COVID-19 / SHNU – related)
 Division Memorandum
“Requiring each office and schools to
have a contact tracing logbook and
personal health declaration form” dated
August. 11, 2020
 Division Memorandum
“Implementation of COVID-19 Health
Standard Protocols in Basic Education
Offices” dated August 10, 2020
POST-COVID SYMPTOMS

Source: CNN
Philippines
What’s New for
2021?
New emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants:
•New SARS-CoV-2 variants:
➢ Variant that emerged in Denmark in September 2020
related to mink farming (‘Cluster 5’)
➢ Variant detected in the United Kingdom in December
2020 (B.1.1.7)
➢ Variant detected in South Africa in December 2020
(501Y V. 2)
• All these variants involve genetic mutations of the spike
protein
• The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is targeted by most
vaccines currently approved or in development; mutations
of the spike protein are therefore closely monitored
Source: WHO-EPI-WIN SARS-CoV-2 virus
mutations and variants update 47
 IATF for the Management of Emerging
Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 99 s.,
2021 (dated February 11, 2021)
 Restrictions on mass gatherings for religious activities in areas
under GCQ shall be further relaxed effective February 15, 2021.
Allowing
 Businesses/ Industries shallup to 50% of seating or venue capacity
 Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and
be reopened and further Exhibitions (MICE) and limited social
expanded: events at accredited establishments of the
 Driving Schools Department of Tourism (DoT)
 Traditional Cinemas, Game  Minimum public health standards are
Arcades still to be observed AT ALL TIMES.
 Libraries, Archives,
Museums, Cultural Centers
 Limited tourist attractions
(parks, theme parks, natural
TRENDING
• NO VACCINES, NO MGCQ (for MARCH 2021)
PRES.
• NO F2F CLASSES IN AREAS WITH LOW COVID-19
DUTERT
CASES
E DUE TO SINOVAC (CORONAVAC)
• PRIOIRITY LISTING WILL BE RE-ASSESSED
USE (50/50) – NOT SUITABLE FOR MEDICAL FRONTLINERS WITH HIGH
EXPOSURE TO SARS-CoV-2; APPLICABLE TO GENERAL POPULATION AGED 18 –
59, NO INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE NEEDED
• NEW STRAIN OF AVIAN BIRD FLU DISCOVERED IN RUSSIA (H5N8) – COVID-
LIKE SYMPTOMS
• PORK HOLIDAY
• WEEKLY FUEL HIKE
COVID19 VACCINES – Which
Ones?
How do COVID-19 Vaccines work?
•Inactivated or weakened virus vaccines:
• Uses a form of the virus that has been inactivated or weakened so it doesn’t cause disease,
but still generates an immune response.
•Protein-based vaccines:
• Use harmless fragments of proteins or protein shells that mimic the COVID-19 virus to
safely generate an immune response.
•Viral Vector vaccines:
• Use a virus that has been genetically engineered so that it can’t cause disease, but produces
coronavirus proteins to safely generate an immune response.
•RNA and DNA vaccines:
• A cutting-edge approach that uses genetically engineered RNA or DNA to generate a
protein that itself safely prompts an immune response.
Source:
Source: Sec.Carlito Galvez
Logistics Summit
 Cold Chain
Name of Vaccine Requirement Vaccination Route of
Age Interval Dose Type Appearance
Vaccine platform Site Administration

Novovax
Protein Sub-
unit
2-8 °C (shelf life
undetermined)
Upper Outer
Arm
Adults,
Older
Adults
(18-84
Alternating IM
(Deltoid) Injection
0, 21 days
2 doses
at 0.5 ml
? ? Information
on COVID-19
y/o)

18 y/o
Oxford/ Upper Outer 2 doses
Viral vector 2-8 °C and IM 0,28 days ? ?
Astrazeneca Arm (Deltoid) at 0.5 ml

Vaccines
above

white to off
white suspension
Frozen
before and after
≥12 y/o 0,28 days (3 multiple
Pfizer/ -70°C or -80°C Upper Outer and 2 doses dilution; may
RNA (2years) IM weeks dose
BionTech Arm (Deltoid) above at 0.3 ml contain white to
apart) vials +
off-white opaque
diluent
amorphous
particles.

Source:
Name of Vaccine Cold Chain Vaccination Route of
Age Interval Dose Type Appearance
Vaccine platform Requirement Site Administration

white to off-
white

Moderna RNA
70 or -80°C
- 20°C (10
months)
Upper Outer
Arm (Deltoid)
ALL IM
0, 28
days
2 doses
at 0.5 ml
Frozen
multiple
dose vials
suspension;
may contain
white or
translucent
Information
product-
related
particulates. on COVID-19
Sinovac Inactivated
2-8°C (5
months);
25°C (42
days);
Upper Outer
Arm (Deltoid)
18-59 y/o IM
0, 28
days
2 doses
at 0.5 ml
? ? Vaccines
37°C (28 days)

Non-
Upper Outer 0, 21 2 doses
Gamaleya replicating -16°C 18-60 y/0 IM ? ?
Arm (Deltoid) days at 0.5 ml
viral vector

Source:
Source:
US CDC
FAQs 1. How do vaccines prevent disease?
•Answer: Vaccines mimic the virus or
bacteria that causes disease & triggers
the body’s creation of antibodies. These
antibodies will protect the body once a
person is infected with the actual
disease-causing virus or bacteria.
2. How do vaccines differ?
•Answer: Vaccines differ in their
composition & how they trigger the
immune response to create antibodies.
These antibodies protect the body from
microorganisms and serve as protection
once a person gets infected with disease.
 3. What are the possible side effects of vaccination?
•Answer: The possible side effects of a vaccine include pain, redness,
itchiness or swelling at the injection site (which may last a few hours);
fever; feeling of weakness or fatigue; headache; dizziness; diarrhea; or
nausea. Consult the nearest healthcare professional if you experience any
of these.
4. Is vaccination mandatory?
•Answer: No, vaccination is not mandatory. But the government highly
encourages the public to get vaccinated & be protected against preventable
disease.

5. Why do we need to get vaccinated for COVID-19?

•Answer: Coupled with the observance of minimum public health standards,
vaccination is an important way to protect yourself from getting severe
COVID-19.

6. What is an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)?

•Answer: It is an authorization granted through a risk-based procedure for
assessing unregistered (under development) vaccines or drugs during public
health emergencies of international concern. It aims to expedite availability
of the vaccine or drug to people affected by public health emergency based
on essential set of available quality, safety and efficacy performance data.
 7. When will the COVID-19 vaccine be available?
•Answer: The government is currently in the advanced stages of negotiations with various vaccine manufacturers. We expect the first vaccine
supply to arrive in the 1st quarter of 2021.

8. Who will get the vaccines first?

•Answer: Frontline health workers, senior citizens, indigent population, and uniformed personnel are the priority groups to be vaccinated.

9. Why will the prioritized groups get the vaccine first?

•Answer: With the initial limited supply, frontline health workers and uniformed personnel are prioritized since they have higher risk of
exposure while on duty and to allow them to continue fulfilling their duties in both the public and private sectors. Vulnerable groups such as
the elderly and the indigent population, are prioritized guided by the principle of equity.

10. Can I purchase the vaccine from private clinics or pharmacists?

•Answer: No, you cannot purchase COVID-19 vaccines from private clinics or pharmacies. At present, only the government is duly authorized
to procure and administer vaccines. Until a full market authorization is issued gy the Philippine FDA, any COVID-19 vaccines should not be
sold to the public.
 11. Is the vaccine free for priority groups?
•Answer: The cost of vaccines for priority groups will be shouldered by the
Philippine government.

12. If I am not part of the priority group, how will I get access to the vaccine?
•Answer: The government is continuing negotiations to ensure adequate vaccine
supply for all Filipinos, including those not in the priority groups.

13. Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?

•Answer: COVID-19 vaccines that are granted with Emergency Use Authorization
(EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are considered safe and
effective based on the available evidence to date.

14. Are there risks for complications when given the COVID-19 vaccine?
•Answer: Yes, like all other vaccines, there are risks of complications BUT
SEVERE OR LIFE-THREATENING REACTIONS ARE EXTREMELY RARE.
The benefit of protection against severe COVID-19 is greater than the risk.
Anyone who will get the vaccine will be properly evaluated and closely
monitored by health professionals to further minimize any risk.

15. What can we do while waiting for the vaccine?

•Answer: Let us continue to be vigilant with the information found online. Let us
make it a habit to fact check and verify with reliable sources (DOH fb page, DOH
website, WHO website, PIA website) regarding new information. Continue
observing the minimum public health standards to prevent further transmission of
the virus. Source:
DOH
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now
is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less”.
-Marie Curie