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Peru: Two COVID-19 vaccine doses required for adequate protection

Photo: ANDINA/Ministry of Health of Peru

16:18 | Lima, Jul. 2.

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) warns that a single inoculation of the vaccine against COVID-19 does not guarantee an adequate defense since the vaccines landed in Peru were designed to be administered in a series of two doses.

The warning is given because many people are overconfident after receiving the first jab, as they think it provides adequate protection against the coronavirus and its variants.

In this sense, the study titled "SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants under investigation in England" proved the need to administer both doses of the vaccine, three weeks apart.

According to this publication, it has been shown that when a single dose is applied, protection against the Delta variant stands at merely 38%. However, when both jabs are administered, the percentage rises to 80%.

Additionally, both doses were 96% effective against COVID-19 hospitalization.

"The second dose reduces the risk of complications from the disease, patient hospitalization, or admission to the intensive care unit and subsequent death," said Marco Ivan Cardenas, head of the Directorate of Integrated Health Networks (Diris) in Central Lima.

Cardenas also reminded citizens that —after the second dose— protection is not automatic, and anyone must rather wait two to three weeks for the appearance of antibodies.

As long as the application of both doses moves forward nationwide, the faster herd immunity will be achieved. Thus, people should not lower their guard and must continue to comply with biosafety measures.

The Diris Central Lima head highlighted the commitment of citizens who attend vaccination centers in the jurisdiction and reiterated Minsa's commitment to guarantee vaccines for the entire population.

A total of 7,650,485 vaccine doses have been administered in Peru as of July 2 at 4:30 p.m. (local time). Within this framework, 3,165,640 people have received both doses.

(END) NDP/SRE/KGR/MVB

Published: 7/2/2021

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