If there are limited vaccine supplies Government Health ministries can increase the gap between the two doses of Covid-19 Vaccines to 6 weeks. This is the most recent guidline from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Recall that the Vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech require a booster dose 3 to 4 weeks after the first dose. But with limited vaccine supplies and a projected slower than expected rate of vaccines production the WHO has considered that countries may need more time to get supplies for the second dose even as ather individuals may still be on the process of being administered the first dose. All vaccination can not occur at the same time or within a short period. There will be cues.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the United States Center For Disease Control (CDC) has also issued a similar advisory this month on both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines. The ACIP also added that though the two mRNA Covid-19 vaccines are Bioequivalent they are not interchangeable. The ACIP also advised against co-adminsitration of the mRNA vaccines with other vaccines due to lack of data.

Several countries facing limited vaccine supplies have informed that they will delay administering the booster shot so that more people can benefit from receiving the first dose. With vaccine supplies still limited, the WHO has called for health workers and the most vulnerable groups to be prioritised.

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation(SAGE) of the WHO beleives intervals of 21 days for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 28 days for Moderna are best upheld for maximum efficacy and safety. But after putting prevailing circumstances into consideration SAGE has also advised that in “exceptional circumstances” Health workers may stretch the interval between doses up to 42 days for both the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. SAGE also recommended that the two vaccines should only be administered in settings that can deal with a potential anaphylactic reaction.

The WHO SAGE also advised that in situations where there was a shortage of vaccines, people who had been infected with COVID-19 in the previous six months and therefore likely had immunity could opt to postpone vaccination, but stressed that it was not a recommendation to exclude individuals on that basis.

The spokesperson for the WHO SAGE, Alejandro Cravioto, however, warned in a virtual press briefing that the evidence does not go beyond the six-week cut off.

According to the experts both vaccines are very similar, though storage requirements for the Pfizer vaccine is at -70 degrees Celsius while Moderna doses can be stored at -20 C.

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The post BREAKIING : WHO OKAYS 6 WEEK DELAY FOR COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT first appeared on CPAN WORLD.

The Minister of State for health Dr. Olorunimbe Mamora and the Chairman Presidential Task Force on Covid 19 Mr Boss Mustapha have both advised that Nigerians do not become complacent once they receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. They have insisted that safety protocols involving frequent handwashing, use of sanitizers and face masks in public remain in force and will be enforced to the letter.

The government officials have made this assertions in the light of ongoing efforts by the Federal government to acquire the Covid-19 vaccines and initiate distribution nationwide based on a planned strategy. Public health experts have also advised that Vaccines will only facilitate 95% immunity against the prevailing strain of Corona virus and there is still a very small window of opportunity or risk of infection. The government officials have also advised that even though individuals may have been vaccinated and acquired immunity, they could still be carriers and transmit the virus to individuals who are at risk of contracting the disease. Consequently individuals are strongly advised to sustain all safety protocols.

While briefing the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 earlier this month the Minister for Health Dr Osagie Ehanire reported that there was a reduction in case fatalities. He warned Nigerians not to let down their guard even as case fatality rates were reducing.

The current Corona virus pandemic has claimed millions of lives worldwide in the past 2 years and has necessitated what could eventually become the costliest vaccine development effort and biggest vaccination campaign on history.

Many Clinical trials are ongoing world wide both for drug treatment regimens and Vaccines. Drugs are meant for  treatment of already infected individuals exhibiting symptoms of illness while vaccines are meant to prevent the disease by stimulating immunity in individuals whom have been administered the vaccines.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) vaccines work by training the body’s immune system (natural defense mechanism) to recognize and fight off antigens like Viruses and Bacteria. The vaccines themselves contain microbial part or whole viruses which have been inactivated. The body is able to keep records of these microbes when exposed to them via vaccines thereby developing a natural defense against them. If infected by the virus, the body would have enough antibodies to combat the Virus and prevent full blown disease. WHO currently recognizes more than 50 Covid-19 vaccine candidates undergoing clinical trials. COVAX is the consortium comprising WHO, GAVI and CEPI that is responsible for ensuring adequate vaccine distribution to nations and prioritizing at risk individuals. Currently the vaccines which have been released require administration of a first dose and then a booster dose 3 weeks later to activate the recipient’s immune system and minimize the risk of infection from the virus.

A vaccinated person may not fall sick if infected but can still transmit the virus to friends, family and close contacts.

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The post DO NOT LOWER YOUR GUARD : MINISTER FOR HEALTH first appeared on CPAN WORLD.