Ecuador begins with the application of the fourth dose of vaccine against COVID-19

The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) announced that, starting this month, it will begin with the application of the fourth dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 in the country.

The MSP indicated that a study carried out in Israel has shown that four to five months after the application of the third dose, the inoculation of a fourth dose can increase the immune response in the person.

The study also concludes that the inoculation restores the antibodies in the body to maximum levels. With this evidence, the MSP proposed that, with this scheme, people over 50 years of age will be able to access the vaccine, after they have received the third dose five months ago.

Similarly, people over 12 years of age with moderate or severe immunosuppression and health personnel, including administrative and general staff who work in medical institutions.

For her part, the Minister of Health, Ximena Garzón, explained that in the country there is a considered number of sufficient vaccines for the population that wishes to receive the second booster, which will gradually later also be extended to the general population.

In addition, in the spaces established by the Ministry of Health, the minister recalled that the first and second doses are still given to the population from three years of age and to adolescents from the age of 12, as long as they have completed six months. of the second vaccine, with their respective authorization granted by their legal representatives.

In the case of those over 18 years of age, they can now go to a health point to access the third dose if five months have passed since their last vaccine. In the case of the first vaccination scheme, the ministry explained that biologicals from Pfizer and AstraZeneca will be applied, depending on their availability.

In this same context, the MSP explained that there are certain recommendations that must be taken into account for a fourth dose.

If the third dose was from Pfizer, it is advised to use the same brand and AstraZeneca; if the third dose was from AstraZeneca, it is recommended to use the same brand or Pfizer; if Sinovac was applied as a third, it is recommended to administer AstraZeneca or Pfizer; and if Cansino was used as a booster dose, it is suggested to use the same brand. However, everything will depend on the availability of the biological at the inoculation points.