The Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, participates today (22) in an immunization act that will use for the first time the 100% national vaccine, produced by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). In an exclusive interview with CNNthe Oxford vaccine coordinator in Brazil, Sue Ann Costa Clemens, stated that the Brazilian vaccine will guarantee us autonomy.
“With the need to adapt the vaccine for future strains, Brazil is self-sufficient in this. Not only for the Brazilian population, but also to be able to export, helping Covax to vaccinate the world population”, evaluated the researcher.
Clemens explained that, in the past, the API was imported, leaving Brazil to finalize and package the vaccines. Now, the doses are produced entirely on national soil.
Regarding the use of the vaccine in Brazil, the coordinator stated that its effectiveness in children and adolescents will be studied. According to her, the United Kingdom already has studies in this regard and Latin America should also start testing.
“The other arm that we are thinking about in relation to the strategy with this vaccine would be to use fractioned doses as a third dose, as a booster dose,” he said.
The researcher added that a study should be started on March 8 in the center of Belém on the possibility of using fractioned doses for reinforcement.
Regarding the need to apply a fourth dose, the doctor said she did not see favorable signs at that time. “We don’t see a significant increase in protection against infection and we also don’t see a significant increase in protection against severe cases, hospitalization and so on.”
The researcher concluded by defending the advancement of vaccination around the world, as a strategy to combat the pandemic. “If the population worldwide is not vaccinated, we will not be able to stop this pandemic”, said the expert.
Source: CNN Brasil
