At a press conference given this Friday, March 4, the director of the EPI, Dr. Héctor Castro, announced that the fourth dose of the anti-COVID vaccine (also called the second booster dose) will begin to be applied to immunocompromised patients, to white and older than 50 years.
The announcement was an advance of information, since the communication will be made officially, with specific dates, next week, said the official.
The doctor pointed out that what people call the third dose is actually the first booster dose and the next one would be the second booster.
This immunization will be focused on people who meet the risk criteria, such as being over 50 years of age, being an immunocompromised patient with diseases such as cancer or with low defenses, etc., and being targeted personnel.
These people must carry a medical recommendation to go to receive the fourth immunization.
Regarding the reason why it is now decided to apply a fourth dose of the anti-COVID vaccine, the doctor explained that the scientific evidence speaks of this need and as a country we are going to move forward towards what science is discovering, taking into account that the COVID-19 is a disease where everything is being detected on the fly.
Vaccination progress is slow
In another order, Dr. Castro shared figures of applied doses of the vaccine so far. He pointed out that immunization is ascending “in a slow progress”, in relation to the first, second and third doses.
Specifically analyzing vaccination in children, the doctor reported 78% of registered children already vaccinated.
This data in relation to the population projection reflects that vaccination is above 21%.
This represents an important figure considering the level of vaccination of children enrolled.
In addition, the official emphasized that the vaccination strategy of house-to-house brigades is continuing, as well as the strategy “I vaccinate in my classroom.”
In the same way, in the vaccination centers of the regional hospitals they offer both platforms, the Coronavac and the pediatric Pfizer, for use in children from five to 11 years old.
In relation to the entire population, the current coverage of immunized persons is 51% for the first dose, 43% for the second and 15% for the third immunization.
Discriminating by age groups, the doctor highlighted that there is a significant percentage of 20-year-olds vaccinated with first doses. Regarding the second dose, there is 60% coverage from 40 years.
In addition, there is 40% vaccination coverage for people 65 years of age and older in terms of compliance with the third dose.
Chronic have coverage of 42%
With regard to the chronically ill who had attended days of massive attendance at that time where a medical certificate was requested, the doctor reported that so far 42% of these registered people are complying with the third dose.
If we stop at the age of 50 years and older, 48% meet the third, and in terms of health personnel, 74% are having a third.
Castro specified that white personnel have greater responsibility in terms of immunization, and those who are in close contact with patients are more aware of the risk of not being immunized.
The director of the EPI encouraged everyone to complete their third dose without delay, as there is a drop in the level of contagion, hospitalization, and deaths.
He emphasized that the booster dose is important because “in this way we sustain the level of protection against a new increase in infections.”
It is important to reinforce doses against measles, rubella and polio
In a separate point, he asked the media to emphasize the National Vaccination Campaign against measles, rubella and polio, all of which are vaccine-preventable diseases. He stressed that the impact of vaccination is seen in history, since diseases no longer occur in our country today.
Paraguay continues to have measles and rubella elimination certification since 2015, the doctor recalled.
“Vaccines prevent these diseases that caused a lot of damage from reappearing, that’s why vaccination coverage throughout the country is very important,” he stressed.
He warned that vaccination coverage of less than 60% places us in a very dangerous situation compared to the regional epidemiological scenario.
Given this scenario, he urged parents to review the vaccination card and to take their children to receive the additional dose of the National Vaccination Campaign against measles, rubella and polio.
Follow the anticovid scheme
Regarding anticovid, it continues to be applied to children aged 5 to 11 years with the authorized vaccines: Pediatric Pfizer and Astrazeneca.
Meanwhile, people over 18 are being administered all available platforms.
The ID number is no longer taken into account.
Vaccination of pregnant women is insisted upon from the 12th week of gestation and after consultation with the obstetrician-gynecologist.
Unfortunately, Dr. Castro reported an increase in the maternal mortality rate from covid.
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