As of 1 July, a Pfizer Covid-19 booster dose begins to be applied in select vaccination centers around the country. Those vaccinated with Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines in the Dominican Republic are eligible for the third free jab. Getting the booster shot is voluntary.
President Luis Abinader, Health Cabinet coordinator, Vice President Raquel Peña and Public Health Minister Daniel Rivera made the announcement during a press conference at the Presidential Palace on 30 June 2021. Vice President Peña had previously announced the government would be making the Pfizer vaccine available to boost the immunity of those who had received the Sinovac vaccine.
The Abinader administration Health Cabinet met with the Dominican Medical Association and medical societies to explain the arguments for the controversial decision. Afterwards, the medical community signed a joint statement to promote the booster shots.
The Pan American Health Organization has recommended the Dominican Republic complete the two doses of vaccine before starting with the booster. President Abinader explained at the meeting that the World Health Organization (WHO-PAHO) has proven to be slow in decision-making and there is no time to await the development of major clinical trials.
Dr. Rivera said the booster would be available immediately and priority is given to health care workers and those suffering comorbidities. Those who have received two Sinovac vaccines are eligible a month after the last dose. Those who have received two AstraZeneca vaccines are eligible for a Pfizer jab three months after the second dose.
The government says it has 4 million Sinovac or AstraZeneca vaccines in inventory for those needing the first or second dose. The country is receiving batches of upwards of 200,000 Pfizer vaccines every Friday. 2,827,967 persons have received two doses of vaccine in the country and are now eligible for the third vaccine. Sinovac, AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines continue to be available for first doses. Those who have received the Pfizer vaccine are eligible to receive a second Pfizer vaccine dose.
The government issued a joint statement with the booster commitment. It is signed by President Luis Abinader, Vice President Raquel Peña, Dr. Clevy Perez, president of the Dominican Infectology Society; Dr. Alexander Marte, vice president of the Dominican Critical Medical Care and Intensive Care Society; Dr. Waldo Suero, president of the Dominican Medical Association; Dr. Jose Brea, president of the Dominican Vaccines Society; Dr. Evangelina Soler, president of the Dominican Neumology Society; Dr. Jorge Marte, medical director of Cedimat; Dr. Jose Joaquín Puello, director of Ciudad Sanitaria Luis Eduardo Aybar; Dr. Rafael Arturo Ramos, Dominican Society of Health Professionals; also Covid-19 specialists, doctors Miguel Núñez, José Natalio Redondo, José Yunén, among others.
Off record reports are that evidence was presented during the meeting with the medical societies of deaths of persons who had received the two Sinovac vaccines but did not develop sufficient immunity. This reportedly motivated the support of the medical societies to the request of the Health Cabinet for the booster shot with a different vaccine.
The government expects sufficient shipments of vaccines will arrive in time for all interested to get the booster shot. The Dominican government has ordered many times over the country needs for vaccines.
When the Pfizer and AstraZeneca pharmaceuticals were not delivering, the Dominican government purchased the Sinovac vaccines from China to kickstart the vaccination program. Around 90% of the Dominican population has been vaccinated with Sinovac.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
El Caribe
1 Jul 2021