In a note released this evening (27), the Ministry of Health expanded the recommendation for the booster dose of the vaccine against covid-19 to teenagers between 12 and 17 years old. The booster dose should be given four months after the second dose, preferably with the Pfizer vaccine, regardless of the dose given previously. If the vaccine is unavailable, Coronavac can be used.
The recommendation also applies to pregnant and postpartum adolescents. Both Pfizer’s immunizer and Coronavac, produced in Brazil by the Butantan Institute, are authorized by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for this age group. In the case of immunocompromised adolescents, only the Pfizer vaccine should be used.
Study
In April, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) Minas warned of the importance of booster dose in all people. Research conducted by the foundation showed the restoration of protection after application of the second dose.
After applying this dose, the level of antibodies present in the body drops. With the booster dose, protection is restored. The analyzes showed that the so-called seropositivity rate increased from 98%, after 30 and 60 days of vaccine application, to 69%, in the period between 91 and 180 days after vaccination. With the application of the Pfizer booster, these rates were restored, reaching 100% seropositivity 15 days after application.
