The Ministry of Health said this Thursday (20th) that it will fully evaluate the decision of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to authorize the use of Coronavac for children and adolescents between 6 and 17 years old, for their inclusion in the National Plan for the Operationalization of Vaccination Against Covid-19.
The initial request made by the Butantan Institute covered the age range from 3 to 17 years. However, Anvisa’s technical team indicated gaps in the effectiveness and safety studies for the population aged 3 to 5 years and for those who are immunosuppressed.
According to Gustavo Mendes, general manager of Medicines and Biological Products at Anvisa, when more data becomes available, the agency will be able to assess the expansion of the age group to 3 to 5 years.
The formula and dosage for the age group from 6 to 17 years old are the same as for the vaccine applied to adults. Vaccines must be administered in two doses, 28 days apart.
Butantan has, so far, 15 million doses of the immunizing agent in stock for distribution to states and municipalities.
São Paulo has already started vaccinating the public with Coronavac this Thursday. Eleven children were immunized in a symbolic ceremony at the Brigadeiro Faria Lima State School, in São Paulo.
Governor João Doria (PSDB) announced that another hundred children would also receive the vaccine on site and in the city of São Bernardo do Campo, in the greater ABC region.
(*With information from Lucas Rocha, Tiago Tortella and Carolina Figueiredo from CNN)
Reference: CNN Brasil
