The Ministry of Public Health announced the availability of a third dose for children 12 to 17 years old during the Wednesday, 25 May 2022 press conference. Reports are that many children have been infected in recent weks. The vaccinating of children is voluntary in the Dominican Republic and requires parental authorization. The Ministry of Public Health makes the Pfizer vaccination for children and the third and fourth booster vaccines available. The country has stocks of 700,000 vaccines for this population group. Dr. Eddy Perez Then, coordinator for Covid-19 for the Ministry of Public Health, explained that the third dose will be applied four months after the second dose has been applied to guarantee protection.
A fourth dose is authorized for persons from 18 years and more, announced Dr. Perez Then, coordinator for during the press conference.
The announcements come at a time when there is an uptick in Covid-19 cases.
“Due to the increase of active cases in this population segment, the Ministry of Public Health recommends the three doses for a complete vaccination schedule.
He said that a fourth dose, as a booster, is recommended for people over 18 years of age, to be applied four months after a third dose. This vaccination is optional and voluntary.
He maintained the priority with the fourth dose is to vaccinate health personnel, people over 50 years of age and people with comorbidities or depressed immune system.
He informed that it is recommended that the fourth dose be of the Pfizer brand, but the brand choice is left to the people. Sinovac dose is available to those who do not qualify to receive vaccines using the MRNA technology.
Perez Then said that there are enough vaccines available and that the recommendation is made because the beneficial effects of the immunization to avoid serious cases and deaths is very clear from scientific and clinical evidence.
He reminded that the antibodies of the vaccines are reduced with time, so it is important to get the boosters.
Perez Then said details of the logistics or strategy to reach the population, especially adolescents will be given.
He said sequencing reveals that most of the Omicron variant prevails as the variant in circulation.
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Listin Diario
26 May 2022