AstraZeneca was more effective with the second dose after 12 weeks. But the Ministry of Health cut that time

Recently, we have witnessed many changes in the National Immunization Program. One of them concerns the shortening of the interval between the administration of the first and second dose of the preparation. Now we will receive the second dose of the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneka vaccines after 35 days. The change concerning the latter preparation is particularly controversial. How does the Ministry of Health explain this and how do experts evaluate it?

1. According to the most recent studies, AstraZeneca is most effective when the second dose is given 10-12 weeks after the first
2. Such guidelines are in force in Poland until now. People vaccinated with this preparation for a second date are scheduled after 12 weeks. But that is about to change soon – the interval will be shortened to 35 days, or 5 weeks
3. The government made such a decision on the recommendation of the Medical Council. – The change in the interval between vaccine doses up to 35 days is consistent with their Summary of Product Characteristics – experts emphasize
4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

Vaccines against COVID-19. When are they most effective?

In Poland, four preparations are currently used for vaccination against COVID-19, including three two-dose ones – Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. We acquire immunity after the first dose, but a second dose is necessary for optimal protection against the coronavirus.

Pfizer has 95 percent. effectiveness, and the optimal interval between the first and second dose – according to the manufacturer’s recommendations – is 21 days. In the case of Moderna (94% effectiveness), it was 28 days.

There was a much longer time frame for AstraZeneki. First, it was talked about 4-6 weeks, then – to improve the effectiveness – it was significantly extended.

– Over time, it turned out that extending the interval between the first and second dose to 10-12 weeks increases the effectiveness of vaccination to 84-85%. – said Dr. Tomasz Dzieścitkowski, a virologist, in an interview with Medonet.

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These dates were still in force in February. In March, the Ministry of Health decided that the time between taking the first and second dose of Pfizer and Moderna preparations was extended to 6 weeks. It was 12 weeks for AstraZeneka.

Such recommendations were issued after consulting the Team for Protective Vaccinations and the Medical Council of the Prime Minister.

Vaccines against COVID-19. The Ministry of Health is rescheduling again

On Monday, Minister Michał Dworczyk informed about another change regarding the interval between the first and second dose of the vaccine. Now, for all three preparations, it is 35 days. The head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister noted that the decision was made after the recommendation of the Medical Council.

– All these dates are within the scope of the current SmPC (Summary of Product Characteristics), i.e. manufacturer’s recommendations. For vaccines, this is information about when the first and second doses can be given. Therefore, from the point of view of the patient’s safety and health, everything is carried out in accordance with the regulations and guidelines of the manufacturer – explained Dworczyk.

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– 35 days is the minimum time limit – he added.

We also received explanations from the Ministry of Health

“The changes were introduced due to the logistical possibilities of delivering doses to Poland, and also to enable Poles to fully vaccinate, greater security and to have a certificate that allows trips abroad to some countries, and to speed up the pace of vaccination” – we read in the e-mail received from the Bureau MZ communication.

The change is to enter into force on May 17.

Shorter time to the second dose. How do the experts judge it?

“The decision to shorten the time frame for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine makes sense. The sooner we acquire immunity, the better. A large number of people would like to get vaccinated before the summer holidays due to planned trips abroad – said Dr. Michał Sutkowski, president of Warsaw Family Physicians in an interview with PAP.

– The decision is right, taking into account medical factors, but it is also related to the amount of vaccines that reach Poland. Manufacturers make it possible to vaccinate with the second dose in a shorter time interval than it has been done so far, leaving the time frame. In Poland, this period has been extended in order to vaccinate as many people as possible and protect them against a severe course of the disease. This decision was influenced by irregular deliveries of vaccines – added Sutkowski.

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The change was also referred to by Dr. Grzegorz Cessak, President of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products.

“The change in the interval between doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 35 days is in line with their Summary of Product Characteristics, which were developed as a result of clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of these medicinal products,” he wrote on Twitter.

The reshuffle regarding the time interval for vaccinations with Astra Zeneka was also commented by prof. Andrzej Horban, chairman of the Medical Council of the Prime Minister.

“From the point of view of the average person, it is acceptable to give a second dose between 4 and 12 weeks,” he told Radio Three, adding that the time reduction is partly due to uncertainty about supplies.

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Horban also commented on the research showing that AstraZeneka is more effective at a 12-week interval.

– The survey was done as it was done. Patients were allowed – for the second dose – from the fourth to the twelfth week. By the way, from a medical point of view, it does not seem so bad until the twelfth week because this response seems to be more persistent than before, but it seems to be because they are relatively small groups and it is for the limit of significance, he said.

Also read:

1. COVID-19 after two doses of the vaccine. How often does it happen?
2. Five “red flags” following COVID-19 vaccination. They require contact with a doctor
3. What medications are better not to take before and after vaccination, and why? Experts explain

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