The Ministry of Health is expected to recommend the fourth dose for seniors aged 80 and over this week. Some states are already adopting the new additional dose on their own.
The fourth dose was already being studied by the folder. In February, however, Saúde did not recommend the fourth dose because it understood that there was still no scientific data to prove its need.
According to people who follow the discussions, there is still a lack of analysis of a study on the subject.
The Ministry of Health already recommends the application of a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in immunocompromised people over 12 years old.
Among this audience, for example, are those who are undergoing chemotherapy against cancer, have undergone some type of organ or stem cell transplant, live with HIV/AIDS or undergo hemodialysis.
In a note, the ministry advised that the primary vaccination schedule for this group should be done with three doses — the first, second and the additional dose — with an interval of eight weeks between them. The fourth dose should be taken four months later.
“After completing this regimen, a booster dose is still recommended four months after the third dose (or additional dose). This guidance is already valid for the adult population, over 18 years of age, with a high degree of immunosuppression”, said the Health.
Even though Health has not yet recommended the fourth dose, some states have already started this application.
States and municipalities are not obliged to follow the recommendations of the federal government and can develop their own rules to combat the pandemic, as the STF (Supreme Federal Court) reinforced in a 2020 decision.
In São Paulo, the application began this Monday (21) in elderly people over 80 years of age. Only those who took the third dose at least four months ago can receive the fourth dose.
In this new stage, in São Paulo, the target audience will receive any of the four immunizing agents approved by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency): AstraZeneca, Coronavac, Janssen or Pfizer.
In Espírito Santo, the application of the fourth dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 also started this Monday. It is recommended for people aged 60 and over.
The fourth dose has also been adopted in other countries. France has announced a fourth dose of the Covid vaccine for people over 80 who received the booster dose more than three months ago. The announcement was made after a spike in cases.
In Germany, the vaccination commission recommended a fourth dose, six months after the third, for risk groups, such as those over 70, immunosuppressed, people who live and work in home-rest cases and healthcare professionals.
In the US, Pfizer is seeking FDA clearance for a fourth dose of its vaccine in people age 65 and older.
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