Third dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Where, for whom and what about Poland?

The third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is introduced by more and more countries, although so far there is no clear evidence supporting its use. The topic is also discussed in Poland. Recently, Minister Niedzielski said that her application “is the perspective of weeks”. The question is which groups will it be offered first. We’ll find out soon. For now, let’s see which route has been taken by countries that plan to use the third dose or are already administering it.

1. There is no conclusive evidence yet that a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is necessary, Prof. However, Fauci believes that sooner or later it will be necessary for all vaccinated people
2. The first country to use the third dose is Israel. More and more countries are following his footsteps
3. Decisions of who to receive the third dose vary from country to country. They include, among others the elderly and the most vulnerable
4. We are to know the recommendations of the Medical Council regarding the groups that will receive a booster injection in the first place by the end of the week
5. More information can be found on the TvoiLokony home page

Third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – dilemmas

The more infectious Delta variant is spreading around the world, prompting more and more countries to use a third booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It would provide better protection against the Indian mutation, although we still do not know if this is actually the case. It is also supposed to be a way of counteracting the weakening of immunity after vaccination. However, many experts believe that despite the reduction in protection against mild to moderate COVID-19, two-dose vaccines still perform well in severe disease.

White House chief medical advisor, prof. Anthony Fauci says a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will sooner or later be required for all vaccinated people. So far, however, there are no studies yet to show that it is already necessary.

However, experts point out that in some cases a booster dose would be warranted. For example, one study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that nearly half of the transplant recipients failed to develop antibodies after being fully vaccinated with mRNA preparations (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna).

The group of countries that decide to take the third dose is growing in number. It is worth recalling at this point that a few days ago the WHO called for a moratorium (temporary suspension) on booster doses until the end of September. All this so that at least 10 percent. people in all countries were vaccinated before the distribution of additional doses. As PAP reminds, 58% of people in high-income countries received at least one dose of the vaccine. people in the lowest-income countries – only 1,3 percent.

Israel – the first country to decide on the third dose

Israel chose to use the booster first. – I am proud that we are the first country to vaccinate with the third dose – emphasized on July 30 the President of Israel, Yitzhak Hercog, who was one of the first to receive a booster injection.

Let us recall that in mid-July in Israel, the third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine began to be administered to immunocompromised adults, including those suffering from certain cancers. Then Israelis aged 60 and over and medical staff joined them. Currently, a booster dose can be given to people over the age of 40, and in the case of health care professionals and some other industries, younger ones as well.

1. Third dose. What side effects and how many are infected? Report from Israel

On August 24, the Israeli health ministry announced that people over 30 will also be able to receive the third dose. There is also information that the Ministry of Health intends to approve the administration of the third dose against COVID-19 to all people from the age of 12.

So far, the third injection has received approx. 17 percent. inhabitants of the country. Let us also mention that it is given to Israelis who took the second dose of the preparation at least five months earlier and have not suffered from COVID-19 since then.

The representative of the Israeli authorities, prof. Salman Zarka believes booster doses will now become part of life. – We have to consider waves (pandemics) with new (coronavirus) variants, such as the new one from South America. It seems that due to the weakening of the (effectiveness) of the vaccine and the (level of) antibodies, we will need a new injection every few months – maybe once a year, maybe every five or six months.

Third dose of COVID-19 vaccine – where and to whom? Country examples

In the wake of Israel, the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is being used or is planned by other countries around the world. Some examples below.

The US agency CDC recommends a third dose for immunocompromised people. US government plans to also administer the third dose of the vaccine to healthcare workers, nursing homes and the elderly from September. The preparations are to be received by those who received the second dose of Pfizer or Moderny at least eight months ago. It is worth noting that some experts question the need to administer a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in a situation where as much as 30 percent. Americans have not yet received the first dose.

In Germany Booster doses will be given from September to the elderly and those vaccinated with AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. German health ministers decided that all booster vaccines should be mRNA vaccines, regardless of the type of vaccine previously administered.

From September 6 UK government also plans a recall campaign for the elderly and the most vulnerable. On August 24, the French government agency for health (HAS) recommended a booster dose for people aged 65 and over and at high risk of severe disease. Similar solutions are under discussion in Finland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. In Switzerland, South Korea, Singapore and the Philippines, third doses may be administered as early as 2021 or early 2022.

In Hungary, where the use of, inter alia, vaccines from Our Country and China, from August 1, the third dose is administered to all comers, although, according to the authorities, it is especially recommended for elderly and immunocompromised people. In Chile and the Dominican Republic a booster dose of AstraZeneca is given to elderly people vaccinated with Sinovacu.

The third dose of the vaccine in Poland – when is the decision?

There are also talks about the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Poland. On August 24, the Minister of Health admitted that it was a matter of weeks to administer the booster injection. – I asked the Medical Council to take a clear position on which groups should be allowed to administer a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – said Adam Niedzielski. As the minister noted, the Medical Council agrees that “there are groups for which it would be possible in the first place”.

1. Third dose of vaccine – who will need it? What do the specialists say?

Adam Niedzielski admitted that there is no decision of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) yet, which would introduce the third dose into the summary of product characteristics. – So, on the basis of research, she confirmed the legitimacy of its use – he stated – (…) we talked about this topic whether to wait for the EMA decision, which announces that it will make a decision at the beginning of September, so this time space is not that big anymore, but on the other hand, I asked the Medical Council to take a clear position on which groups, without waiting for a possible EMA decision, we should allow such a possibility – he said.

According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Health, Wojciech Andrusiewicz, on August 25, the Medical Council will issue recommendations regarding the administration of the third dose by the end of the week. – As far as I know, such a recommendation should be made by the end of this week and then the Prime Minister will make a decision, of course with the participation of the Minister of Health – emphasized Andrusiewicz.

You may be interested in:

1. The third dose of Pfizer significantly increases immunity. Who should get it?
2. COVID-19 Will Become a Childhood Disease? Dr. Grzesiowski: There are such hypotheses
3. But Pfizer is not the most effective vaccine? New data of scientists

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.