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The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) published in the Official Gazette the approval of the “Eighth Addendum to the Vaccination Plan Against Covid-19 Republic of Guatemala” for the expansion of the vaccination plan approved by Ministerial Agreement 41- 2021.
The eighth addendum will allow the administration of heterologous primary vaccination schedules, the two doses of said schedule may be different from each other, that is, the population can complete their primary schedules by receiving a vaccine other than that of their first dose.
8.2 MILLION VACCINATED
According to the Health portfolio, until June 16 there were 8,280,337 people vaccinated with the first dose; 6,299,169 with second dose. At least 144,756 had received booster doses.
The institution indicates that 7,758,404 people have the complete scheme (two doses) of vaccination against COVID-19.
Sandoval indicated that said person was not a CICIG investigator but an external polygraph examiner.https://t.co/adj7zHwtsP
– La Hora Newspaper (@lahoragt) June 17, 2022
INCREASE IN CASES
The Health portfolio reported on Thursday the 16th that due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, more patients in moderate and serious condition are being admitted to hospitals, most of whom go to consultation late.
Likewise, due to the increase in the positivity of COVID-19 cases, an epidemiological alert was declared by the Health authorities in the national territory, with the aim of maintaining and strengthening prevention actions against the virus. During the last days, according to the authorities, hospital occupation has increased.
UPDATE OF GUIDELINES
The Ministry of Health reported that the update of the vaccination guidelines is with the aim of continuing with the Vaccination Plan against COVID-19 and reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality in the population over 12 years of age.
According to scientific terms, primary heterologous vaccination scheme refers to the fact that the person receives as a second dose a type of vaccine or brand different from the one received as the first dose, without affecting its safety or efficacy in any way. Heterologous schemes differ from those that are completed with the same type of biological, which science calls homologous schemes.
“The decision to manage both types of schemes in the country was made by the MSPAS through the Immunization Program, which reviewed the available scientific evidence and the technical opinion of the National Council for Immunization Practices (Conapi), which coincides with which, within the available information, the safety and immunogenicity of primary schemes completed with different types of vaccine is confirmed, showing that they provide an immune response equivalent to that of homologous schemes,” the MSPAS reported in writing.
In addition, prior to administering the second dose, the vaccinating staff will verify compliance with the suggested minimum interval before receiving the second heterologous dose.
Therefore, the staff will request the personal identification document (DPI) for those over 18 years of age, as well as minors who must be accompanied by a parent or responsible guardian.
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