Receiving a booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine can help increase the neutralizing antibodies that give protection against severe and critical types of the coronavirus, an infectious diseases expert said Tuesday.

In a televised public briefing, Vaccine Expert Panel member Rontgene Solante said an increased neutralizing antibody provides individuals defense against death due to Covid-19 and infection from Omicron variant.

“Noong nabigyan tayo ng dalawang dose ng primary vaccine series, medyo bumaba ‘yung neutralizing antibody natin or ibig sabihin ‘yung (When we were given two doses of primary series, our neutralizing antibody went down or our) protection after three to six months,” Solante said.

However, individuals may receive only one booster dose until studies have confirmed that it must be administered every three or six months, he added.

The presence of the Omicron variant in the country caused cases to rise since December 2021 and some people are asking if booster shots must be administered quarterly.

On Monday night, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there is still no clear evidence on the need for a fourth dose of Covid-19 vaccine or second booster shots to lower the number of infections in the country.

He added that the country’s health officials are coordinating with international vaccine experts regarding this matter.

As of Jan. 23, the country has administered 123,365,808 vaccine doses since the vaccination rollout in March last year. (PNA)