key: cord-1050247-3ibrryv2
authors: Cordero, Dalmacito A
title: Tired of endless campaign against vaccine hesitancy? Exploring local herbal-based vaccines and drugs against COVID-19
date: 2021-06-15
journal: J Public Health (Oxf)
DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab217
sha: aa71ed6ce651c70a4b95a6af4555acf720f32b60
doc_id: 1050247
cord_uid: 3ibrryv2

nan

Tired of endless campaign against vaccine hesitancy? Exploring local herbal-based vaccines and drugs against COVID-19

To the editor One of the reasons that serves as a hindrance in achieving herd immunity in the Philippines is vaccine hesitancy among many Filipinos. After a major controversy over a dengue fever vaccine, Filipinos are vaccine-wary when it comes to the COVID-19 jab. 1 In a recent correspondence published in this journal, Cardenas emphasized that the Philippines' COVID-19 vaccination program should harness a multilateral and multi-faceted strategic policy to address the loopholes of accelerating vaccination rollout. 2 This rollout of course can lead the country to achieve this ultimate goal. Cardenas also pointed out in another correspondence that the Filipinos' mistrust to China contributes to vaccine hesitancy that could a ect herd immunity in the country. 3 Concern is mounting that China's vaccines are less e ective at quelling the disease, raising questions about nations from Brazil to Hungary that are depending on the shots and the country's own mammoth inoculation drive. 4 In fact, this 'trust' even to western vaccines is not 'perfectly' laid down by the locals due to reported side e ects, unfamiliarity with the compositions and the public's lack of knowledge regarding how essential the vaccines are. With this, an important issue needs to be addressed, 'how will the behavior of vaccine hesitancy be totally eliminated to surely achieve herd immunity?'

With a thorough reflection, the direct answer is that 'it will never end!' I do not think that this hesitancy will be completely eradicated in the belief system of Filipinos. As long as any of those reasons mentioned above are present, the element of hesitancy or fear will always be expressed by anybody. However, I firmly suggest that there can be a great help in achieving herd immunity or even discover an e ective medicine for the dreaded COVID-19 virus that will be generally accepted by the public with less hesitancy, that is-local herbal-based vaccine/drugs.

The Philippines is a bountiful home of various species of medicinal plants which now number more than 1150. 5 Filipino traditional medicine, of which herbal medicine plays a large role has been around for centuries and is well-accepted in the rural areas. 6 Even in cities, herbal medicines are also used by some mothers who originally came from the provinces. It is no wonder that a lot of herbal medicine vendors are stationed in the cities like in Quiapo and Divisoria, Manila. I am not concluding that these local herbal medicines are the perfect cure for the disease but the government should provide a full support on this venture by providing adequate financial resources for its full operation. There were already previous successful research findings regarding the e cacy of these herbal drugs in treating diseases since it is validated that they contain anti-viral properties. In fact, the government admitted that it was keen on tapping herbal medicine as possible supplement treatment for COVID-19, with three clinical trials underway. Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said the government is looking at the e ectivity of virgin coconut oil, lagundi and tawa-tawa as supplemental treatment. 7 Through continuous research, advanced studies and clinical trials, the possibility of discovering a herbal-based vaccine or drug is never far from reality. When this happens, the level of hesitancy among Filipinos will not pose a bigger problem as compared with the current situation. The reasons for these are because these herbal drugs are locally produced, thus, mostly known by the public, cheaper and most of all, generally considered to be safer or less harmful which means that there are lesser side e ects since they are not synthetic but natural.

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