The Ministry of Health announced the reduction of the interval for the booster dose and extended the need for the third dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 to the entire public aged 18 years or over.
For epidemiologist Carla Domingues, former coordinator of the National Immunization Program (PNI), the decision is right, however, she draws attention to the high proportion of the population that even went to the posts to complete the basic scheme with two doses.
“It is essential that the population understand that we have 40% of the population that has not taken the second dose and it is no use just looking at those who have already taken it, these 60%, and thinking about this third dose, but leaving these 40% aside . We have to walk together in this process. Finish the second dose, but also ensure that, as people complete the fifth month of vaccination, they already have the right to receive their third dose.”
The decision of the Ministry of Health in relation to a third dose for all adults was not evaluated by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), which issued a note in which it said it had not been consulted previously.
About this, Domingues says that it is necessary to understand that “the ministry has the prerogative of defining vaccination programs according to the moment we are living”. But it draws attention to the need for a conversation between the government and the agency.
“I agree that the discussion with Anvisa is fundamental. If it didn’t happen before, let it happen now because we need the agency’s validation because it will guarantee all the quality control of the vaccination process, all the documentation validation, then we cannot give up the role of Anvisa even in a health emergency .”
2nd dose of Janssen
Also last Tuesday (17), the folder defined that all Brazilians who took Janssen as a single dose will have to receive a second dose of the same immunizing agent. Two months after the first application, everyone can take the booster.
The orientation of the third dose follows the same logic as the other immunizing agents, so after five months of the second dose, they will also receive an additional one to strengthen the immune system against the disease.
Carla Domingues explains that this interval of two months between the first and second dose is the minimum, but it is okay to take it with a longer interval. According to her, this would be more beneficial.
“Studies have shown that in those receiving this second dose at six months, the antibody titre is almost five times higher. So the population will even be more protected with this more extended interval.”
The epidemiologist clarifies that the orientation is that the second dose of Janssen is the same immunizing agent, but that there is no problem in making an exchange, as happened with some people who took the first dose of AstraZeneca and the second of Pfizer.
“If there is no availability at that health center when the person is going to get the vaccine, there is no problem in receiving a different one. These vaccine mixtures are already proven to protect, have high efficacy and, above all, it is a safe mechanism.”
(Published by Sinara Peixoto)
Reference: CNN Brasil
