There are some questions about the application of the AstraZenaca vaccine in the country. The infectologist and head of the Special Projects Commission of the Health Cabinet, Jesús Feris Iglesias, explained to Free Journal the performance of this vaccine against COVID-19.
“Is the AstraZeneca vaccine one dose or two?” Is it only effective if both are received?
Most vaccines have two doses. This is because with the first dose, the body recognizes the antigen, in this case the amino acid sequence of the virus, recognizes it and produces antibodies that rise little by little for two weeks and then decrease a little.
That is why the second dose of the vaccine is applied between the third and fourth week, so that the body recognizes the antigen again and the response of our body is much greater and the antibodies multiply and further increase the defense of the body.
– What margin of protection does this vaccine offer against COVID-19?
AstraZeneca is very good, all vaccines are good. After they are tested and pass the 60% threshold, the vaccines produce antibodies. Those that are approved passed the threshold and there are some that are similar. Sinovac, a vaccine from a private company in China, is formulated exactly the same as AstraZeneca.
“When will he arrive in the country?”
The vaccines arrive in March and it is trying to have a few batches before March for the health personnel. Vaccination begins in April.
—Who will be vaccinated first?
Health personnel on the front line are going to be vaccinated: speaking of doctors, nurses, cleaning personnel; everyone who is in contact with patients arriving at hospitals and clinics in the country.
That is priority number one. After that line, the older ones and those with comorbidities will come. The possibility of where to vaccinate is being considered, one possibility is the voting centers because everyone on their ID knows where they vote.
There are also some electronic modalities that can be grouped by age and co-morbidities so that they do not make lines.
“Should I continue to use a mask after I get vaccinated?”
Because you get vaccinated now … don’t take off your mask. Stay with your mask and stay away because the body begins to produce antibodies. For at least two weeks after you have been fully vaccinated.
“Does it also protect against the other strains that have been discovered?”
Vaccines are made up of the proteins and amino acids that have been sequenced from the virus and therefore vaccines are made to stimulate that sequencing of the viral nucleus so that the organism increases its defense mechanism. Both the antibody produced by the vessel, and the antibody produced by the virus.
“Can I get it after the vaccine?”
All medicines without exception have adverse reactions, but in the cases they are minimal. There may be some contagion risks, but exceptionally.
—The Dominican Congressman for the NY-13 District, Adriano Espaillat, reported Thursday that he tested positive for COVID-19, despite applying the two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Possibly the official was already incubating the disease before being vaccinated or his immune system should be studied. It must also be analyzed if the vaccine maintained the adequate cold chain.
– Is it not recommended in some cases, for example, in allergic people?
In allergic rhinitis and things like that it is not advised against. In addition, for those with very serious allergies, what is not recommended is the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines because they are very new techniques but the others are not. But those are too isolated cases.
“Will children also be vaccinated?”
The vaccine is not approved in children under 16 years of age because the coronavirus in children is like a simple cold.
“Will private insurance cover it?”
That has not yet been discussed. They are thinking about how private insurance can access this vaccine, but after mass vaccination. The AstraZeneca vaccine has been purchased directly by the Government at four dollars per dose, eight dollars for the two, but the intermediary market wants to ask you for $ 20 or $ 25.
The responsibility of the Government is to vaccinate the entire population that is required free of charge. This is what will be done with the 10 million doses of the agreement.
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