Persons with HIV can get COVID-19 vaccines

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

The Department of Health-Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-WV CHD) on Friday said that Persons Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIVs) are safe to receive vaccines for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

During the agency’s regular online series “Isyung Bakuna”, Adrian Hort Ramos, DOH-WV CHD’s Regional Program Coordinator for National HIV, AIDS and STI Prevention and Control Program (NASPCP), said the COVID-19 pandemic affected their activities, especially in treatment and testing.

Ramos said the pandemic prompted the DOH-WV CHD to “innovate and improve” the projects undertaken under the NASPCP.

He cited the iScreen project with the World Health Organization, which was expanded regionwide through delivery of self-screen kits for HIV, as well as opening of various delivery modes for delivery of Anti-Retro Viral (ARV) medicines.

ARVs are the most advanced treatment that slows down HIV infection.

Ramos also cited last year’s awarding of the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) and the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) as Certified Rapid HIV Diagnostic Algorithm (rHIVda) Confirmatory Laboratories (CrCL) for confirmation of one’s HIV status.

Prior to the certification, blood samples for confirmatory testing were sent to the Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (STD/AIDS) Cooperative Central Laboratory (SACCL) at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.

Ramos told Daily Guardian that the pandemic slowed confirmatory HIV testing to 1 to 3 months. But the CrCL certifications enabled client treatments to start between 7 to 8 days in Iloilo and Negros Occidental, and within 2 weeks in neighboring areas as far as Aklan.

“Since last year, when the community quarantines and border restrictions started, there has been issuances from the national [government]. One of our concerns was about the services provided to [PLHIVs], especially treatment and testing. Since last year, we have initiated actions at the regional level. Despite the pandemic, our service delivery for screening, advocacy, testing, confirmation, enrollment, were not hampered because we pushed the need to provide the primary and basic service delivery especially in the HIV program,” Ramos said.

Ramos said PLHIVs can receive COVID-19 vaccines as they belong to vaccination prioritization group “A3” being immunocompromised persons.

He said PLHIVs who received COVID-19 vaccines experienced the same side effects as non-PLHIVs. Not one of them reported Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) or of Special Interest (AESI).

“There have been many [PLHIVs] and treatment hubs reaching out to the regional office, asking if [PLHIVs] can receive the vaccines. So yes, yes, and yes. Since April, we have started consultation meetings with our treatment hubs to prepare PLHIVs to avail vaccination. It’s good to know that there have been [PLHIVs] who have already received [COVID-19] vaccines through LGUs and institutions, and those who haven’t, we have continuously consulted so they can be given,” he said.

He also clarified that PLHIVs would still have to continue taking their ARVs, which they are prescribed to consume for a lifetime.

“The vaccine is an additional protection from COVID-19, and our [ARVs], this is [PLHIVs’] treatment which they have to take for a lifetime. When they are vaccinated against COVID-19, technically they are protected from COVID-19. They do not need to stop taking their [ARVs] because the main function of this drug is for their HIV infection. They cannot stop taking their [ARVs].”

Ramos said there are no risk factors yet for PLHIVs who have been vaccinated before confirmation of their HIV.

“It’s actually better to have a vaccine against COVID-19 beforehand, because you would have prior protection from that disease. We haven’t seen any risk factors if you have been vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to knowing that you have HIV. COVID-19 and HIV are different,” he said.

Ramos encouraged PLHIVs in the region to coordinate with their treatment hubs for their COVID-19 vaccination.

“Aside from the minimum health standards, we strongly encourage [PLHIVs] in the region to coordinate with your treatment hubs for your COVID-19 vaccines, because as always, number one being told to us is that all vaccines are safe. I know you have fears, but rest assured that all vaccines are safe and it will protect you because you are immunocompromised and you need an additional layer of protection,” he said.

In anticipation of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day on May 16, he also encouraged the public to have themselves screened for HIV with their nearest local treatment, to educate themselves on both COVID-19 and HIV, and to refrain from discriminating against PLHIVs.