The Ministry of Health (Minsa) is assessing the possibility of enhancing the protection of the population vaccinated against COVID-19,
Health Minister Oscar Ugarte said while commenting that Moderna and Pfizer laboratories are working on a third special dose of the vaccine.
"We have been informed that at least Moderna and
Pfizer laboratories are working on a third special dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, known as booster shot," he stated.
The minister explained that "this dose is not like the ones that have already been administered, but a booster against the variants that are circulating around the world."
"There is no scientific evidence to prove that a third single dose is better than two," he added.
Booster to be expected
In statements to RPP radio and TV station, the high-ranking official affirmed that it is foreseeable that Peru will need to boost the immunization effort against COVID-19 as the protective effect of the vaccines is still unknown; laboratories are just testing it, and the immunity of
those who have been infected lasts no more than nine months.
Ugarte emphasized that Minsa has purchased an additional quantity of vaccines, because it considers it advisable to enhance the protection of the population with a third dose.
Perhaps, Minsa will provide a booster dose at the end of the year to those who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19, following the same order of priority: front-line healthcare workers, the elderly, and people with comorbidities.
"We have bought enough doses considering this forecast," he concluded.
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Published: 7/13/2021