THE Department of Health (DOH) assured the public over the weekend that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks after a neurological disorder was listed as a “very rare” side effect of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Serious concerns were aired over the Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) as a "very rate" side effect of the vaccine.
The Guillain-Barre Syndrome which can cause temporary paralysis has been listed by the European Medicines Agency as a possible side effect of the AstraZeneca jab.
However, the same agency reported that GBS occurs in under one in 10,000 people, said the DOH.
"GBS is a very rare condition that is also noted to be an adverse event following immunization based on its occurrence after vaccination. However, with or without vaccination, GBS occurs. GBS also is noted to happen after COVID-19, the disease,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained in a statement.
“Current global and local data show that the benefits of getting vaccinated and the protection from COVID19 hospitalization and death still outweigh the risks for the adverse events reported, such as GBS,” she added.
It is but proper for the DOH to clarify issues like this which tend to discourage some people from getting vaccinated.