Medical chief dismisses COVID19 vax death rumors

DAVAO ORIENTAL   Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID19 Action Officer, Dr. Reden V. Bersaldo, has assured that no person has died because of the COVID19 vaccines.

This assurance was made during the COVID19 Bakunation Press Conference on February 5, 2021 at the Provincial Tourism Complex in the City of Mati.

“Kung tan-awun nimo ang COVID deaths nga proven gyud all over the world, it's 2 million plus already. How many na ba ang vaccine-related death? Zero (If you look at the proven COVID deaths all over the world, its 2 million plus already. How many are vaccine-related deaths? Zero)," he said.

He added that this is out of the more than 1 million people who have been vaccinated in other countries.

“According to the Infectious Disease Specialist data, kung naa man siguroy mamatay isa duha, in ana (if there are deaths, maybe one or two), but that does not discount the fact that the vaccine is effective,” he said.

On the topic of side effects, he explained that the COVID19 vaccine is just like any other vaccine such as the flu or pneumonia vaccines, the severity of the side effects depends on the person’s health.

“Naka depende rana sa tao ug sa iyang immunity, sa iyahang lifestyle, ug sa iyahang genetics (That just depends on the person, their immunity, lifestyle, and genetics),” he said.

As such, Dr. Bersaldo emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated due to three mechanisms:

“Number one, it prevents the transmission of the disease. Pwede nga di naka matakdan jud (It’s possible that you may never be infected),” he said.

Secondly, he explained that the vaccine helps prevent the onset of the disease.

“Meaning, even if you are infected, you won’t manifest any symptoms. You don’t feel anything but you won’t infect others,” he added.

Lastly, he cited that the vaccine will prevent the onset of severe symptoms.

“The bottom line is we need to stop COVID transmission. And we need to lower its fatality, its effect to kill people,” he concluded.

He added that eventually, when everyone has been vaccinated, at worst, people will only feel very mild symptoms even if they are infected. (By Jan Vincent Leuterio)