Vaccination with AstraZeneca in our country has gone through various situations in just two months. From the first detected cases of thrombosis, the doses of this British vaccine could only be administered for those over 60 years of age, after the first studies revealed that it was not advisable for people over 55 years old. Information that came after vaccinating essential sectors with this vaccine, who are still waiting for their second doses with a deadline already met.
The Health decision was also late in coming. In fact, it was not until last week when, after the Interterritorial Council with the autonomous communities and after seeing the result of the study that revealed the effectiveness with a second dose of Pfizer, the decision about which vaccine to receive was placed in the hands of the population. Since then, and resuming vaccination in those who already needed the second dose, A large part of the Spanish have opted for a new dose of AstraZeneca, rejecting that of Pfizer by not wanting to mix vaccines.
AstraZeneca, the best option
Putting this whole process aside, Margarita del Val, on ‘Ana Rosa’s program’ of Telecinco, has wanted to leave their opinion to all those undecided who are still waiting for their second dose. The truth is that the virologist, one of the most listened to voices since the beginning of the pandemic, is very clear about it: AstraZeneca is the best option. In fact, the expert has been against the position of the Government before all the controversy and gives an example the vaccination of the United Kingdom, with thousands of doses already administered and little or no risk.
“The authority emanates from the EMA, in the AstraZeneca vaccine leaflet recommends the second dose of AstraZeneca”, Margarita Del Val remembers in her intervention in the program. “People who have received both doses, the incidence is five times lower than with just one dose.” And about cases of thrombosis, the virologist downplays: “It is very rare these cases with a single dose, because with two even less.”
Against the government’s position
And it is that, given the position of the Government in recommending that the second dose be with Pfizer, Margarita del Val insists: “I don’t feel morally authoritative to recommend someone to get the Pfizer vaccine as a second dose after AstraZeneca without having safety data.” And the fact is that the study carried out in Spain only assessed the effectiveness of AstraZeneca and Pfizer, but not with two AstraZeneca vaccines.
“It is not necessary to extend the one to choose which vaccine I get … because they are putting the decision in the hands of people who do not have all the information. They can’t put that weight on us to choose because that distorts vaccination campaigns. They have to give us the best vaccine taking into account the most vulnerable people in the population ”, explains Del Val.
The vaccine is safe
In addition, the virologist insisted on reminding the population that the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe, like all the others with which progress continues in the vaccination process. “It produces fear, but you have to be transparent and warn people so they know what can happen. Beyond that, one should not be afraid of vaccines, but of COVID ”, she comments when asked about the great confusion about the doses.
“The safest thing is that we will all get infected sooner or later if we don’t get vaccinated. It is clear that when whatever variant enters a country, those who are not vaccinated are affected. We must look up and vaccinate countries with few resources, which have not received doses ”, explains Del Val, who also warns of what will be a summer without restrictions in Spain: “We are going to be an example of: look at how this country is with the outbreaks of cases and mortality.”
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