Brazil started the application of the new vaccine against the disease this Monday (27)
This Monday, February 27, Brazil begins a new phase of the vaccination campaign against Covid-19. Now, people will get the booster of Pfizer’s bivalent immunizer, which is an updated version of existing vaccines and provides greater protection against new Omicron variants.
According to the Ministry of Health, in this first moment, only groups classified as priority can receive the immuniser. They are: elderly people over 70 years old, residents of long-term care institutions (ILPI) from 12 years old, people with compromised immunity, indigenous, river and quilombola communities.
The ministry also announced that, starting in March, the vaccination program will be extended to other groups. It is worth remembering that at least two doses of the original vaccine are required to take the bivalent. Also, to receive it, you must have a minimum gap of four months after the last one.
Consult the programme:
(02/27): Persons over the age of 70; immunocompromised patients from 12 years old; people living in long-term institutions (ILP) and indigenous, riverside and quilombola communities;
(06/03): Persons aged 60 to 69;
(03/20): Pregnant women and postpartum women;
(04/17): Healthcare workers; people with permanent disability from 12 years; population deprived of liberty, employees of the deprivation of liberty system, adolescents in good standing with socio-educational measures.
What is the bivalent vaccine?
Second Alexander Piva, infectologist and professor of Medicine at the University of S. Paolo – UNICID, bivalent vaccines are those capable of immunizing against more than one version of the virus at the same time. “
“Our immune system creates antibodies (protection) against the original strains and current variants of the Covid-19 virus,” he explains.
While first-generation vaccines protect against the initial strains of the disease-causing virus, these updated doses also include Omicron mutations, specifically the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.
The doctor explains that this means that, with a single application, it is possible to obtain a stimulus for our body to develop antibodies against the protein that helps the penetration of the virus into human cells of both versions.
Therefore, the bivalent vaccine aims to increase the effectiveness of immunization. “So much so that at the time of the appearance of the Ômicron variant, we saw the number of cases grow even among the vaccinated, due to the lack of coverage of the previous vaccine”, points out the specialist.
Vaccines are essential to significantly reduce the risk of contracting the disease and having more serious manifestations that can require hospitalization and even lead to death.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
