Millions of Dominicans chose to be vaccinated with “the one available.” As a result, most Dominicans are vaccinated with the Chinese Sinovac/Coronavac vaccine.
Now new research says it is very effective. The biomedical research division of ProFamilia, a local NGO, shared findings of a study among its staff with the Health Cabinet. The study shows a high immune response of specific neutralizing antibodies against the Covid-19 virus among those vaccinated with the Sinovac/Coronavac vaccine. The pilot study followed a sampling of 80 persons. Among those who had received two vaccines, 92.5% showed a high presence of antibodies. The percentage was even higher in those who had already had the virus. With the first dose, only 52% showed antibodies.
The study also reported that very few reported side effects from the jabs, mostly headaches, come pain at the injection site, and slight fevers. Vivian Brache, the lead investigator, told reporters that the results were very encouraging and urged more people to get vaccinated. The country is vaccinated all with Dominican IDs ages 18+.
The Dominican Republic is fifth in the Americas in the number of people per 100 inhabitants that have been vaccinated. the list says that in the DR some 33.1 persons per 100 have been vaccinated. Dominican government statistics show that over 3.5 million doses have been given: 2.7 first doses and 845,000 second doses. In the Americas, only Chile, the United States, Uruguay and Canada have vaccinated more percentages of their population.
The Dominican government has just announced that children 12 to 17 are scheduled to receive the Pfizer vaccine when the vaccines arrive in the summer. The vaccines are intended to prepare students to restart regular classes come the next fall semester.
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Profamilia
23 May 2021