SP reduces Covid booster dose interval from 5 to 4 months

The government of São Paulo announced this Thursday (2) that it will reduce from five to four months the interval between the booster dose of the Covid vaccine. The decision was made due to the emergence of the omicron variant and the proximity to the end-of-year festivities.

The anticipation is valid for anyone who took the two doses of Coronavac, AstraZeneca and Pfizer, at any age.

According to the state, 10 million people, who were vaccinated in July and August, can already receive the extra dose. The four-month interval is counted from the date of application of the second dose.

Fear of the possibility of an increase in cases after the confirmation of people infected with the omicron variant led the government of São Paulo to also back down in releasing the use of masks in outdoor environments. Governor João Doria (PSDB) had announced last week that use would no longer be mandatory from December 11th.

According to the government of São Paulo, the anticipation of the booster dose also takes into account that São Paulo is one of the main gateways to the country, via ports and airports.

“The state now has the logistical and technical conditions to expand vaccination and reduce the interval between which doses are applied so that everyone can be even more protected. It is also worth emphasizing the need for those who have not yet taken the second dose to return to health centers to be immunize,” Health Secretary Jean Gorinchteyn said.

Those who took the single dose of Janssen may receive the additional dose of the same immunizer with an interval from 2 months. However, the government of São Paulo says it does not have doses of this product due to lack of delivery from the Ministry of Health and informs that it is applying an additional dose of Pfizer.

In the city of São Paulo, the action for those immunized with Janssen began on Tuesday (30).