Yes or No to the third dose of the SARS-COV-2 vaccine?
Since the Pharmaceutical Pfizer proposed this idea with the intention of reinforcing our ‘shield’ in front of the Delta variant (between 40% and 60% more contagious than the alpha), the debate has not stopped resonating, waiting for
A response from official agencies.
This week the European Medicine Agency (EMA) has been pronounced that, based on the Technical Report of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), supported the option of providing an “additional” injection as a “measure of
Caution “A seniors and immunosuppressed people.
The experts responsible for this technical document ensure that with the current evidence, there is no urgent need for the reinforcement administration of vaccines to people with a complete pattern in the general population.
However, they do consider an extra dose in patients with fragile and weakened immune systems.
An example of patients with fragile immune systems would be the recipients of organ transplants.
Some studies point out that an additional dose of vaccine can improve its immune response.
Also the elderly, “in particular those who live in closed environments, such as residents of long-term care centers,” according to EMA.
On the one hand, the EMA emphasizes that there is no scientific evidence to endorse the urgent need to administer a third dose of the vaccine in the general population.
The ECDC manifests in its report that “the priority should now be vaccinated by all those eligible people who have not yet completed their recommended vaccination cycle”.
It is also a matter of justice.
Public health experts insist that the main priority is to achieve the immunity of 90% of the population before starting with the third injectable.
“It does not seem very ethical to put a souvenir dose when a lot of people still unprotected,” says Jordi Reina, a virologist expert from the University Hospital are spasses of Palma (Balearic Islands).
It should be remembered that around “30% of the Spanish population capable of vaccinating is not yet immunized, it does not make sense. It is necessary to protect the entire population, not hyperproteger to those who are already protected,” says Joan Caylà, member of Spanish society
of epidemiology.
Both specialists insist that the objective is not only to immunize the Spanish population, but worldwide.
You have to do everything possible to “avoid transmissions around the world as quickly as possible because while the virus continues multiplying with high incidents, whether in other countries or ours, a new variant that can not be generated
Respond to current vaccines, “argues Caylà.
Currently, more than 80% of vaccines have been distributed in countries with high and media resources.
In some countries, immunization rates are around “1% or 2% of the population.
For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) claims to delay the administration of third doses, at least until a good vaccine coverage has been reached with the schedule established on a global scale.
When the European Agency of the Medication cites the reinforcement dose, it refers to the possible third injection of the general population, with normal immune systems.
The additional dose is the one that does contemplate EMA, the one intended for people with fragile immune systems.
EMA experts insist that data show that the two doses of the vaccine are “highly protective against hospitalization, serious illnesses and deaths”.
However, the Agency highlights as “fundamental” to continue applying measures such as physical distancing in society, hygiene of hands and the use of masks when necessary, particularly in high-risk environments, such as care centers.
Long term or hospital halls with patients at risk of severe COVID-19.
“Member States should prepare themselves for possible adaptations from their vaccination programs in case a substantial decrease in vaccine effectiveness is observed in one or more population groups,” according to EMA.
As indicated, the groups of national technical advisors who guide vaccination campaigns in each country continue to have the prerogative to recommend how vaccines should be administered in their respective states.
Indeed, the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias, secured at the press conference its intention to follow both recommendations (from the ECDC and EMA).
Before, the decision will go through the Public Health Commission next week, in which the Autonomous Communities and the Ministry of Health participate.
The presentation of vaccines pointed out this week: “There is a coincidence with between EMA and the presentation of vaccines to start with additional doses, but not reinforcement, in those who have any category of immunosuppression and do not reach the expected immune response.”
Based on this recommendation, experts are working.
There are several countries that have decided to start their own revaccination campaigns.
It is the case of Israel, where those over 40 years of age may receive the dose in question.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Benet, 49, was one of the first to vaccinate with the reinforcement injectable.
They are already more than 1.2 million Israeli citizens immunized with the three punctures.
It should be remembered that in recent days, the country faces a fourth wave of contagions due to the delta variant.
Hungary has also begun to distribute third doses of vaccines.
According to his plans, they are candidates for the administration of a dose of memory who have received the full guideline at least four months ago.
China, United Arab Emirates and Russia have also begun to administer reinforcement injections.
Other countries, such as the US, have put a date to an extra puncture.
The North American country announced that as of September, and due to the increase in the Delta variant, it will also begin to administer a third dose of the Vaccine Anticovid.
The recommendation will be directed to those who are vaccinated with Pfizer-Biontech and modern and will be available for Americans who have received their second dose eight months ago.
While this initiative is evaluated, the US Medicine Agency (FDA) authorized an additional dose of immunosuppressed people at least 28 days after completing the pattern.
For example: transplanted patients, with HIV or cancer, among others.
Along with the USA, France is located (whose idea is to immunize over 65 years and people with diseases that compromise their immune system), Germany (bet on applying a third injection of Pfizer or modern to those over 60 or immunosuppressed people)
, Austria (who wants to strengthen the immunological protection of the already vaccinated) or Canada (puts the focus on people in senior centers, large dependents, transplanted persons, patients with certain types of cancer and other immunosuppressed people).
