The unpublished study, which BBC reviews, addresses the interval between the two doses of Pfizer / Biontech’s coronary vaccine. The researchers behind it conclude that eight weeks may be ideal for protecting against the delta variant.
– This is interesting, but the study must be seen in connection with other studies, says chief physician Preben Aavitsland at the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH) to NTB:
From the start, three weeks between the first and second dose of the vaccine were recommended. But like Norway and a number of other countries, the British have extended the interval to up to twelve weeks so that more people would receive the first dose earlier.
– We now have a 12-week interval so that we finish the first dose in the whole country before we can drive fully on the second dose. It is possible that we can then shorten the interval somewhat so that we finish the second dose earlier. It is too early to decide, says Aavitsland.
He points out that the size of the vaccine deliveries to the country is of great importance for which intervals can be chosen.
– We must come back to this when we are there that the whole country has finished the first dose and will start on the second dose. We want neither too short nor too long an interval. We will see this study along with other studies.
The study from the UK shows that an eight-month interval means that the body’s immune system produces more antibodies.
As everyone over the age of 18 has been offered the first dose in the UK, health authorities have encouraged people to take the second dose after eight weeks.
The study is funded by the government and has not yet been peer-reviewed.
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