Brasilia, February 27 (Prensa Latina) The Brazilian Ministry of Health is starting today in 17 states of the country the application of the anti-Covid-19 bivalent vaccine, which provides immunity against the original Omicron variants and the BA1 subline of SARS-CoV -2 improved coronavirus.
According to the portfolio, the Immunizer has a similar safety and efficacy profile to monovalent preparations.
The drug will initially only be used in risk groups, i.e. in phase one in people over 70 years of age, immunosuppressed, indigenous people, river dwellers and Quilombolas (Afro-Brazilians).
In the second stage, it is received by people between the ages of 60 and 69; in period three pregnant and postpartum women; and fourth health professions.
Two bivalent vaccines, both made by US laboratory Pfizer, received emergency use authorization from the National Health Surveillance Agency.
They are indicated as a single booster dose for children and adults two months after completion of the first vaccination schedule or as the last booster dose.
The Ministry reiterates that anti-Covid-19 monovalent vaccines are still available in basic health units for the general population and are classified as “highly effective against the disease”, guaranteeing a high level of immunity and reducing mild and severe cases and deaths be avoided disease. Illness.
“Monovalent vaccines continue to protect. Even for the Ómicron variant, but of course with the possibility of a vaccine more specifically designed for the circulating variant, there is a tendency for a better response,” emphasized the director of the Brazilian Immunization Society, Juarez Cunha.
The ministry will also present the so-called National Movement for Vaccination at the conference.
The initiative includes measures to expand coverage of all vaccines available in the single health system.
The launch of the campaign will take place in this capital with the participation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Health Minister Nísia Trindade.
In this first phase, anti-Covid-19 immunization will be reinforced for priority groups. It will initially focus on older people, people with comorbidities and people with disabilities.
To date, the South American giant has registered 698,928 deaths and 37,20,531 infections from Covid-19 since the virus entered national territory in February 2020.