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From May 17, Poland has a reduced waiting time between the first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Regardless of whether the patient has received a Pfizer, Moderny or AstraZeneki preparation, the next injection is scheduled after 35 days. According to Dr. Leszek Borkowski, it is not a sensible step.
- On May 10, Minister Michał Dworczyk announced that the waiting time for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine was changing
- Previously, you had to wait up to 42 days after the first dose of Pfizer and Moderna. The interval for AstraZeneka was up to 84 days
- Currently, the waiting time has been standardized for all preparations. However, it differs from that recommended by individual manufacturers
- “I believe that the use of the same interval of 35 days for vaccines based on the mRNA and vector platform is inappropriate,” writes Dr. farm. Leszek Borkowski, specialist in clinical pharmacology and drug analysis, assistant professor at the Chair and Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of the Medical University of Lublin
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage.
Why was the interval between the first and second doses of the vaccine longer before?
First, there was a pandemic unfolding. More and more infections, hospitalizations and more and more deaths. No effective drug against SARS-CoV-2. Only vaccines remain, and we do not have enough of them. It was right then that the interval between vaccine doses was as long as possible, so that there was time to administer the first dose to as many people as possible.
At that time, we faced a significantly limited supply of vaccine doses, and at the same time a very bad epidemiological situation. Faced with these problems, the priority must have been to obtain at least partial immunity by as many people as possible. Epidemiologically (globally), it does not matter that the level of their antibodies remains at the level of 15-49%. The more people vaccinated, the less serious illness and death will be.
- Also check: When will you get the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Now the pandemic is slowing down (the number of infected is falling, the number of deaths is falling). We have a significantly increased supply of vaccines. Vaccination points are working better and faster. The administration of a second dose of vaccine goes back to the rules of vaccine characterization.
35 days of interval for each COVID-19 vaccine. “It’s a mistake”
I believe that the use of the same interval of 35 days for the mRNA-based vaccines (Comirnaty and Moderna) and the vector AstraZeneca (Vaxzervia) vaccines is inappropriate. Humoral immunity, measured by the amount of antibodies, should be corrected for the effectiveness of cellular immunity (CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells). Therefore, we look at these two elements of seroprotection in specific immunity. A second dose of AstraZeneca given up to 6 weeks apart yields 55 percent. protection, and administered after the 12th week gives 80 percent. protection. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine with an interval of 3 weeks gave 95% of cancer patients. protection and provided after 5 weeks only 43 percent.
- 35 days for Pfizer / BionTech vaccine instead of 21 days is a mistake.
- 35 days for Moderna vaccine instead of 28 days is a mistake.
- 35 days for AstraZeneca instead of 12 weeks (84 days) is a mistake.
The 35-day interval is a waste of the seroprotection potential of correctly administered vaccines. The calculation of the intervals between the XNUMXnd dose of two-dose vaccines is based on experiments conducted in clinical trials organized for two-dose vaccination. This should not be taken lightly, and administrative decisions not based on clinical experience should be rethought.
- The second dose of Pfizer / BionTech Comirnata should be given after 21 days.
- A second dose of Moderna should be given after 28 days.
- A second dose of AstraZeneca Vaxzervia should be given after 84 days.
Good treatment results also depend on the correct administration of drugs. This means that the drug must be properly stored, properly prepared before administration to the patient, e.g. dissolved, the dose and frequency of administration should be carefully selected in the appropriate indication. All these elements are determined on the basis of painstaking multi-stage clinical trials. Their results are recorded in the Summary of Product Characteristics, which is a specific drug specification. This important document is the basis for the use of the drug. It also limits various treatment discretions not always based on well-established evidence-based medical knowledge.
- Editors recommend: What is the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines? [COMPARISON]
The characteristics of the medicinal product safeguard the safety and effectiveness of the use of a specific drug. The number of side effects may increase with arbitrary changes in the dosage of drugs, including vaccines. Any deviation must be wisely justified.
The time of a pandemic is a time of high deaths and the time of making tough decisions. It is important that they are substantive and not populist-hysterical. We all deviated from the principles of the characteristics for the use of two-dose vaccines, but this was justified by their absence or the extremely rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today the pandemic is slowing down and vaccine deliveries are accelerating. Time to regain dosing in accordance with the characteristics of the vaccines.
Change in dosing of vaccines to COVID-19. “Medical experiment”
Off-label use is the practice of using a medicine other than as specified in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).
The person who did not use the drug in accordance with the official recommendations is fully responsible. Any such action can be treated as a medical experiment. The conditions and rules of the medical experiment are set out in Chapter 4 of the Act on the Professions of Doctor and Dentist (including Art. 25) and in the Pharmaceutical Law. A medical experiment may be conducted after obtaining the consent of the participant). Adverse Vaccine Reactions (NOP) may occur following administration of the vaccine. If side effects do occur, you may be able to get compensation from the Compensation Fund, provided the vaccine has been administered in accordance with the official recommendations in the SmPC. If the vaccine is not used in accordance with the SPC, it may be considered a medical experiment and the entire responsibility, including the payment of compensation, is with the person who performed the injections.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevetion (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) allow a maximum interval between doses of mRNA vaccines of up to 42 days.
It should be noted that this applies to exceptional situations, when there is a need to postpone the second dose, e.g. for health reasons or for random events. So this only applies to some people. However, in Poland, a general rule has been introduced that applies to everyone: the second dose after 35 days. This should be changed.
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- Expert: Fewer infections may prove vaccination effectiveness
- Virologist: unvaccinated people begin to parasitize the vaccinated
- Is it time to open nursing homes and hospital wards for visitors?
- Shift work increases the risk of COVID-19 infection
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