The Ministry of Health included, this Wednesday (18), elderly people from 60 years of age in the recommendation for the application of the second booster dose of vaccines against Covid-19.
The second booster dose should be given four months after the first. The orientation is that the second reinforcement is done, preferably, with Pfizer.
According to the ministry, Janssen and AstraZeneca vaccines can also be used, regardless of the previous immunizer. With the new recommendation, 24.2 million Brazilians over 60 are able to be immunized with the second booster dose.
The decision expands the target audience for immunization with a new booster in the country. Until then, the second booster dose was only recommended for elderly people over 70 years of age, immunocompromised, in addition to people over 60 years of age living in permanent institutions.
According to the Ministry of Health, the recommendation is based on studies that show that this strategy increases immunity by more than five times a week after application.
The ministry directs that states and municipalities follow the new guidance according to the availability of doses. The immunization schedule should prioritize the most advanced age groups, 90 years of age or older, followed by 80 to 89 years and so on, until all the elderly are covered with the second booster.
Basic care helps prevent Covid-19
Source: CNN Brasil
