The Ministry of Health (Minsa) began the application of the 2023 vaccination scheme, in which biologicals against covid-19 are repeated. Doctors reiterate that the reinforcements against this disease are recommended, but the administration of these as if it were the first time, is a decision of the health authorities made under their criteria. They recommend inoculation with bivalent vaccine.
“Actually, there is no recommendation that vaccination plans have to be made as is done in Nicaragua, we do not know what is the basis for making a vaccination plan with a complete schedule every year,” says a doctor consulted by CONFIDENTIAL.
Another doctor points out that in other countries they are already applying a type of vaccine known as bivalent that provides protection against the omicron variant of concern, the most predominant strain of covid-19.
“We can find this type of vaccine in the United States, in Europe and in some Latin American countries they are already applying it as well. The advantage is that by bringing the omicron variant you have a better chance of protecting yourself against complications and death,” explains epidemiologist Leonel Argüello.
What are bivalent vaccines?
The bivalent vaccines are produced by the Moderna and Pfizer laboratories, they have an RNA component corresponding to the original strain that causes covid-19 and another component against the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant. Therefore, when applied, it protects against the original virus and this strain.
“The recommendation is that you have to have a complete scheme for any of the vaccines that exists and then apply a booster. People who had a booster for a monovalent vaccine (…) it is recommended to get a booster of the bivalent one, “says the doctor who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals.
In the US, the application of bivalent vaccines has been authorized since August 31, 2022. These are also known as “updated boosters” and according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)it is recommended to apply a single dose two months after the main vaccination schedule or booster doses.
In addition to the US, the bivalent vaccine is being applied in the UK, Canada, Spain, Germany and Italy, Brazil, Peru and Chile. It is expected that in the first half of this year they will arrive in Colombia and Costa Rica.
“Until we have better vaccines, it is recommended that one get vaccinated every six months,” says Dr. Argüello.
The Nicaraguan health authorities have not reported whether there are plans to purchase this type of vaccine. It is known that the Ortega Government acquired a million-dollar loan with which it would acquire biologicals and supplies for vaccination days. However, it has not published the immunization plan that it will carry out during the fourth year of the pandemic.
Vaccination in Nicaragua
Nicaragua closed the year 2022 with a total of 12.1 million doses applied, of these 6.1 million were registered as first doses and 5.9 million as second doses, according to the Minsa. However, these include Nicaraguans who received reinforcements and were vaccinated again that year under the health policy that the regime installed since last March.
A report from CONFIDENTIAL He recounted the testimony of people who had received up to five doses in less than a year due to this policy, while other groups on the Caribbean Coast still had not even reached 50% vaccination with two doses.
Also, although the official motto is that vaccination is “voluntary”, the authorities do require the vaccination card against covid-19 to carry out public procedures, such as issuing a health certificate. Also, there have been reports of cases of requesting it in health centers when requesting medical attention.
In total, the country has received 18,219,520 vaccines against covid-19 of eleven types. 51.6% of these correspond to donations and the remaining 48.3% to purchases, most made from their political allies: Cuba and Russia. Of this number of doses, 12 million would have already been applied, 6.1 million as first doses and 5.9 as second doses.
As reported by the propaganda media, the vaccines they are applying are pediatric Pfizer in minors and the Sinopharm that were donated by China, for adults. .
