The bivalent vaccine by Pfizer vs. COVID-19 will be applied to people over the age of 12, reported the Ministry of Health of Panama (MINSA).
It details that in order for a person to be inoculated with the bivalent vaccine, they must have two doses of the monovalent vaccine, wait two weeks, and then be given a single dose of this new vaccine.
The National Directorate of Pharmacy and Medicines of the Minsa has authorized the emergency use of the “Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine”, and the doses are expected to arrive in Panama at the end of this month of December.
SEE NOTE: The bivalent COVID vaccine is expected to arrive in Panama at the end of the year
“The national government through the PanavaC-19 team is very aware of the epidemiological situation in the country, so this vaccine is expected to arrive in the country before the end of the year, as Panama would be one of the first countries in the region to get it,” he said. affirmed Elvia Lau, national director of Pharmacies and medicines.
The Minsa indicates that the bivalent vaccine protects against the original COVID-19 and its variants such as Ómicron and Delta. It is 0.3ml, which comes in a vial with a gray stopper and gray border label, and is undiluted before use.
“The new bivalent presentation has better protection against circulating variants (Original and Ómicron BA.4/BA.5, XBB, BQ1, BQ1.1 and Delta), is supplied in booster single-dose vials, administered at least 2 months after completing a primary vaccination schedule with any (1) monovalent Covid-19 vaccine and receiving (1) of the most recent booster doses. That is, having a minimum of 2 doses of the vaccine against Covid-19 ”, explains the Minsa.
On the other hand, the Minsa reiterates its call on the population to maintain self-care or biosecurity measures such as the use of masks, physical distancing and hand washing, to avoid contagion from COVID-19. Citizens are also reminded that the Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 is currently being administered free of charge throughout the country, and if you have symptoms, go get a swab and if it is positive, request the treatment that the Panamanian state has acquired for fight this virus.
“The pandemic is not over, the state of emergency in terms of health characteristics is still in force, therefore self-care and respect for biosecurity measures must be practiced such as the use of the mask where there are gatherings of people and you go to get vaccinated which is free,” said Lau.
