Rio begins to apply 2nd booster dose of Covid-19 in elderly people over 80 years old

Elderly people over 80 years old began to receive, this Thursday (24), the second booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

According to the municipal secretary of Health, Daniel Soranz, the municipality has the amount of doses necessary to immunize the more than 173,000 elderly people who are able to receive the second booster dose.

“The recommendation is that all people who are over 80 years old look for a health center to have this reinforcement. We have enough doses for the fourth dose. We have Janssen and AstraZeneca vaccines now available at the units. We are only awaiting a shipment from Pfizer,” she explained.

The inclusion of new age groups among the target audience for the fourth dose depends on the Ministry of Health, according to the Municipal Health Department, which follows the recommendation of the body.

“The Ministry of Health is considering that the elderly over 80 have difficulty producing antibodies. You are considering them in the immunosuppressed group. That second booster shot is important because it keeps the antibody level very high,” he explained.

The first elderly woman vaccinated with the second booster dose in the city of Rio was Laila Simão, 85 years old. She arrived at the post that works at the Planetarium, in the South Zone of Rio, before 8 am, being vaccinated with Janssen’s immunizer. “I’m so excited. Anyone who can, come running and get vaccinated,” said Laila.

Haroldo da Silva, 85, was next. He didn’t hide his relief at getting the second booster shot. “As there is to take, let’s take it. I take as many doses as I can. I think vaccinating is a must too,” he said.

The city hall points out that the public able to receive the third dose must return to health posts. Currently, 670,000 people have not yet completed the vaccination schedule even though they have already received the second dose of the immunizer. About 60% of the population of Rio de Janeiro has already sought out the posts for a booster dose.

Regarding the collection of the vaccine passport, Soranz said that the obligation continues. The goal is to reach 70% of the population with the complete vaccination schedule so that some change is made.

Flu vaccination starts in April

The city of Rio de Janeiro will also apply the dose of the flu vaccine again. The campaign is expected to start on April 4, with the priority group over 80 years old.

“The flu at the end of last year caused many cases in Rio. We have a new winter coming. We are already in autumn, it is already a season that naturally has an increase”, said Soranz.

Influenza vaccination should be carried out in a staggered manner. After immunization of the elderly, vaccination of children from 6 months to 5 years of age should begin.