Philippines Authorizes Booster Dose of Pfizer-BioNtech for Immunocompromised Adolescent Population at Least 28 Days after Completion of Primary Series

There is no evidence that a 3rd dose of C-19 vaccine provides more than short term reduction (weeks) in serious illness, after which negative efficacy. Adverse reactions are dose dependent.

The Philippines Government has just approved booster dosing of Pfizer BioNTech last 14 June for adolescents. On 20th June they issued the Interim Guidelines for that booster dose of Pfizer BioNTech to be given to immunocompromised adolescents age 12 years and older.

Note that informed consent is required from both the parent/guardian and the recipient, unless that recipient is not capable of giving consent.

I am aware that many parents, eager to protect their children, want them to get booster doses of these vaccines; some will even claim a healthy child is immune compromised to access the doses. Parents should be reminded what the latest available data shows:-

1. Covid-19 case fatality rates have dropped considerably since 2020. Based on my recent evaluation of Cebu data, with the current Omicron variant, in the Philippines in 2022 they stand overall at about 1.7% of cases. This includes all high risk groups to which children and adolescents do not belong; their risk will be many magnitudes lower. Covid-19 does not currently pose a serious health risk in Philippines. There is no need or rationale to vaccinate youth for an infection that poses little risk for them.

2. Pfizer BioNTech was designed for the 2019 Alpha variant. In the past 2 1/2 years the virus has been exposed to and has adapted to evade the original protection offered by the vaccines. The current vaccines are obsolete and out-of-date.

3. Fully vaccinated persons (counted as 2 weeks after completion of the primary series) did have a temporarily lower risk of serious illness. This reduction in serious illness for the primary series lasted about 4-5 months after which cases rise. Two weeks after a booster, there is some further protection against serious illness. However, this protection typically lasts only weeks before falling. Before the 2 weeks post dose, infection rates are high. The vaccines are showing negative efficacy. I.e. increasing risks of infection, illness, and death as time lapses post vaccine.

4. Current trends show that overall vaccinated persons are having higher rates of covid-19 infection than unvaccinated persons. Vaccinated persons are increasingly identified as driving cases and fatalities!

5. It is estimated that more than 75% of children and adolescents (even up to 95%) have already been exposed to covid-19 infection and have infection derived immunity. The best and most durable protection comes from natural immunity. Natural immunity alone is better and more durable than hybrid immunity (i.e. natural infection combined with vaccination). Thus, the best approach may be not to take any extra doses of vaccine. Natural Immunity provides broad, durable and lasting protection against serious illness.

6. Side effects / adverse effects increase with every dose. These are not inconsequential. They include pericarditis, myocarditis, heart attack, stroke, aneurism, menstrual irregularities, impotence and male infertility, autoimmune conditions, cancer, vaccine-induced acquired immune deficiencies (VAIDS), sudden death, among others! The Risk Benefit Analysis does not make sense! Balance short-term temporary reduced risk of severe outcomes from covid-19 (no protection from infection), but at the same time accepting risk of illness and death from the vaccine, against a mild short recoverable illness which conveys permanent immunity and likely lifelong protection against future severe illness.

Parents, guardians, proceed at your own risk. If there is an adverse reaction there is no-one to take responsibility, and you will be left dealing with the outcome by yourself! Getting any assistance at all in the Philippines is very challenging. Maximum payable from the Government IF you manage to get through their onerous, convoluted, cause-denying process is PHP200,000.00.

If you want your charge to be injected, but the young person under under your care does not want it please respect their choice.