The National Commission for Vaccination and Epidemiology (CNVE) decided this Wednesday that Costa Rica will not buy the Chinese Sinovac vaccine, while authorized the use of the drug made by Johnson & Johnson and that has resonated for an eventual donation to the country.
This was indicated by the Ministry of Health in a communication sent to the press this Wednesday in which it is stated that:
After analyzing the effectiveness, efficacy and details of the clinical studies currently available, the National Commission for Vaccination and Epidemiology (CNVE) decided that Costa Rica, for the time being, will not acquire a vaccine against COVID-19 from Sinovac Life Sciences “.
Salud recalled that it had previously indicated in the resolution MS-DM-RM-0933-2021 what the vaccines that arrive in Costa Rica must have an effectiveness of at least 60% for prevention of contagion, requirement not met by Sinovac.
In this regard, the Secretary of the Commission, Roberto Arroba Tijerino, noted that:
This is a vaccine that does not have an effectiveness greater than 60%, which is required by the Ministry of Health. This vaccine is 51% effective, as indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO). On the other hand this vaccine does not yet have the peer review of the clinical studies that support its authorization and in addition, it is necessary to know the analyzes that are carried out in nations that have had a high vaccination coverage “.
The Commission did not rule out that if new documentation is presented by the WHO on Sinovac, a new analysis could be carried out, but for the moment the purchase is discarded.
Approved Johnson & Johnson
At the same time, Commission today endorsed use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines, so that these are received both in case of possible donations from other nations and by direct purchase by Costa Rica.
According to Tijerino:
The Commission, in its thirtieth extraordinary session in June, endorsed the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines that may be received in case of donations or through the COVAX mechanism“.
Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine showed a 66.3% effectiveness in clinical trials and requires only one dose in its placement.
Finally, the Commission extended vaccination in group 3 to all types of obesity, no longer just grade 3 and morbid, as it was previously.
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