After a meeting of the Technical Advisory Chamber on Immunization of Covid-19 (CTAI), this Friday (11), the Ministry of Health decided that it will not recommend the fourth dose of vaccine in Brazil. The information was provided by the CNN yesterday.
According to sources from the technical chamber, the understanding is that there is no scientific research with sufficient data to support a new booster of immunization for people who are not immunosuppressed. The committee also analyzed the current epidemiological scenario in the country before reaching this conclusion.
Also according to technicians who make up the technical committee, at this moment the fourth dose should not be applied because people who have taken two doses and the booster, that is, have the complete vaccination schedule, are still very well protected against Covid-19. and the worsening of the disease.
The folder defined the position after the state of São Paulo expanded vaccination to the general public over the age of 60, with a forecast to start applying the fourth dose from April 4th.
In an interview with CNNthe executive coordinator of the Scientific Committee of the State of São Paulo, João Gabbardo, analyzed that there is evidence and experiences from other countries that show a benefit of the extra dose of vaccine for the elderly.
The informative note with the opposite position on the part of CTAI will still be published, with further debates expected next week. The Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, had already commented on the matter in the same direction against the fourth dose.
“This anxiety in wanting to apply this fourth dose without scientific evidence also does not help to face the pandemic. It is essential to advance in the booster dose. I have said and I repeat. The Technical Committee that supports Secovid [Secretaria Extraordinária de Enfrentamento à Covid-19] is analyzing all these issues. When there is enough scientific evidence, the technical group will guide”, said the minister this Thursday (10).
Throughout this week, the folder recommended a booster dose against Covid-19 for immunosuppressed adolescents. In a technical note, the folder advises 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. Upon completion of this regimen, a booster dose is still recommended four months after the third dose (or additional dose).
Source: CNN Brasil
