Wearing preferably surgical masks even for non-healthcare workers in high-risk settings and vaccination for the companion of senior citizens (A2 + 1) and pregnant and lactating women were among the policy updates and recommendations presented during an Aug. 18 Department of Health townhall meeting.

The presenters were DOH Undersecretary and Spokesperson Dr. Rosario Vergeire; UP College of Medicine professor, pediatric infectious disease specialist, and DOH Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Anna Lisa Ong Lim, and health social scientist and DOH interim National Immunization Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Nina Castillo-Carandang who discussed the latest expertguided recommendations for adults, children, and pregnant and lactating women. 

With the resurgence in COVID-19 cases, of which a sizeable number was traced to the more infectious Delta variant and other variants, the three panelists emphasized that the updated policies were urged by experts through the Philippine COVID 19 Living Recommendations. 

The panelists reiterated that the Prevent, Detect, Isolate/Quarantine, Treat, and Reintegrate (PDITR) plus Vaccination Strategy is still effective and works for all places, situations and populations. This strategy, according to Dr. Vergeire, also includes the triage system being followed by the local government units, which is dependent on the vital role played by the Barangay Emergency Response Team and Barangay Health Workers.

The recommendation to switch to surgical mask for non HCWs whenever feasible is based on the capacity of such masks to provide increased protection. For HCWs not directly taking care of COVID patients and suspects, surgical masks, face shields or goggles, and standard PPEs are advised.

Vaccination Updates

Meanwhile, vaccination for one companion of an A2 (senior citizen) is allowed provided he/ she is from the same household and a caregiver and/or relative. In addition, a companion of the A3 (with co-morbidities) may be allowed for vaccination if they are immunocompromised, such as cancer patients, transplant recipients and those undergoing immunotherapy. Dr. Vergeire announced that these recommendations will soon be adopted as a national policy.

Drs. Vergeire and Ong-Lim stated that except for the Sputnik V and Gamaleya vaccines which are not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, all other vaccines can be given for breastfeeding women, women in the 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and for the first trimester for highrisk pregnancies after appropriate counselling. However, it was explained that booster shots are not yet advised because they are still being studied, and due to the high percentage of Filipinos who have yet to be vaccinated.

For children, both said that only Pfizer has an Emergency Use Authorization for ages 12 and above. In the Philippines, utilizing the ring or cocoon strategy to vaccinate qualified adults in households will also lead to protection for children.

Dr. Ong – Lim pointed out that home isolation is advised for asymptomatic and mildly ill children with clearance by doctors and with their and the local government unit’s monitoring. In instances where home isolation is not possible, children should be accompanied by family members if there is a need for facility-based quarantine.

Ventilation Guidelines

For workers, Dr. Vergeire urged that all activities be held in open air spaces and in other places with proper ventilation that allow for 6-8 air changes per hour. She added that the use of exhaust fans can be helpful. Inside public transport, there should be no recirculated air and with open windows of at least three inches opening.

She cited the experts’ recommendations against the use of air purifiers, ionizing air filters, foot baths, misting tents disinfection chambers and UV lamps. She cautioned against the use of wand-like UV lamps that are bought in online stores because these don’t give protection and that UV lamps used in hospitals and clinics are the only ones authorized for use. 

Dr. Vergeire also announced the suspension of the shortened sevenday quarantine and testing protocols for asymptomatic fully vaccinated close contacts. 

Good information hygiene 

Dr. Nina Castillo Carandang repeated the need for vaccine equity, to counter and not contribute to vaccine misinformation, rely on trusted sources, such as WHO, DOH, and health experts/health professionals, and conduct factchecks, that are necessary for practice of good information hygiene.

“Fake news spreads faster than COVID, we need to be proactive, think of what to like and share as we have a duty to have a positive impact to others and a responsibility as creators and shares of accurate information,” she intoned.

Cynthia M. Villamor

Featured in the UP Manila Healthscape (Special COVID-19 Issue No. 30, August 2021)