The recommendation is that the extra dose be applied only to immunosuppressed people over 18 years of age and to the elderly population. However, the Brazilian Society of Immunology says that the priority over vaccination coverage is to carry out the basic scheme, with the 2 initial doses or a single dose, plus the booster dose.
The fourth dose should be validated only in exceptional situations, that is, in places with high coverage of the adult population with three doses.
Expectations for the future
In consultation with the infectologist at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo, Evaldo Stanislau, the explanation is that the fourth dose has been shown to be important in specific situations, in the case of immunosuppressed and elderly patients, increasing the protection of these groups.
If sufficient doses are available, the fourth dose can be given to healthcare professionals who are working on the front lines of fighting the virus. The doctor makes an addendum, warning that there are “other issues involved when talking about a fourth dose for the entire population”.
The problem lies in looking only at the supply of vaccines. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that, even if some states or cities have stocked up, first consideration must be given to vaccine equity within the country and at a global level.
Preservation of vaccines and their effectiveness
In the pandemic scenario, where vaccines and their effectiveness are the focus of the news, in addition to paying attention to changes in the vaccination schedule, it is equally important that other factors are considered. It is important that the public and private sectors take care with storage and adequate conservation measures, because outside these conditions, immunizers lose their effectiveness.
When a vaccine is exposed to temperatures outside the indicated range (+2°C and +8°C), that is, when there is a break in the cold chain, it is no longer possible to guarantee that this vaccine will have the efficacy proposed by the laboratory. This means that the vaccine will not protect against a certain disease as we hope. In addition, a break in the cold chain also increases the chance of adverse reactions, should this vaccine be used in any patient.
The ideal temperature conditions are in the temperature range between 2ºC and 8ºC so that the integrity and immunizing characteristics of vaccines are maintained. Such conditions are possible with the use of scientific conservation chambers, equipment registered with the Ministry of Health/ANVISA, which meet all technological and legal requirements for the correct storage of doses.
Source: Veja Saúde.
