Will Recife expand the age range for the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine? I know what’s missing

In a letter sent to the Ministry of Health, he said Recife City Hall Accused of sending new doses of immunizations for use in Apply the second booster dose (4th dose) In people under the age of 40 who have already received the first extra dose (the third dose) for at least four months.

Asked about this is possible Expansion of the age group for the fourth dose in Pernambuco, Communication Consulting State Health Administration (SES-PE) She informed that she is awaiting the position of the Technical Chamber for Guidance on Covid-19 Immunization (CTAI) and the Ministry of Health itself. “It is also necessary to remember the need to ensure dosing by the federal agency,” he said.

SES-PE has also highlighted, so far, that the . file The position of CTAI and the local committee opposed this increase in the age group for the fourth dose🇧🇷 He added, “Soon, we must meet with our committee to see if there is a change of understanding.”

Currently, Pernambuco only administers the fourth dose of COVID-19 to the public over 40. The overall coverage for this fourth dose is 42.7%.

However, the rate is lower for 40-49 year olds: 20.7%. Between 50 and 59 years old, it is 30.5%; 62.1% from 60 to 69 years old; 73.1% are 70 years old.

in Pernambuco Third dose coverage rate 56.7% Also far less than is recommended to avoid new waves of COVID-19.

At this time with a new increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across Brazil, experts recognize that expanding The fourth dose of the vaccine for children from 18 to 39 years old It’s a way Significant prevention against omicron sub-variables (eg BQ.1)indicating greater transmission potential.

In addition, it is necessary to recall the population who did not take even the third dose.

The BQ.1 arrival in Brazil It raises concern about the ability of the sub-variant to escape the antibodies (produced by those who have been vaccinated and those who have had the disease). This increases the importance of the booster injection (third and fourth shots), which helps reduce the ability of the sub-variants to cause infection.

In this way, the safest and most effective way to achieve Keeping the antibody count high is to follow the full COVID-19 vaccination, which includes all recommended booster doses🇧🇷

“Among the reasons that contributed to the increase in the number of cases of Covid-19 are the pockets of the unvaccinated population, the low coverage of booster doses in some population groups, the short protection period for the vaccines we use today, and the resumption of vaccines.” Campaign” Epidemiologist Anna BrittoFrom Viecruz Pernambuco.

It highlights the need to currently work with vaccines in addition to the original strain of coronavirus, the Wuhan strain (in China), as the virus has undergone several mutations, requiring greater protection against omicron and new sub-variants. “Tests for these vaccines are already under development.”

But it is worth noting that even the current vaccines against the Covid-19 virus that are available in the country have developed antibodies with less ability to neutralize the omicron (and its sub-variants), and this does not mean that this immunity does not protect. In the world, vaccinated people in general do not have a serious disease as did the unvaccinated.