Filenews 25 May 2021
It is extremely rare for the 2nd dose of vaccine to have a serious side effect, said today the Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health, Elena Panagiotopoulou, who made it clear that since no serious adverse side effects occurred after taking the 1st dose, the likelihood of someone getting a serious adverse side effect after the 2nd dose is infinitesimal.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Ms Panagiotopoulou stressed that the only case where the 2nd dose is contraindicated is if someone gets thrombosis and thrombocytopenia after taking the 1st dose.
Proceed with the 2nd dose people with a history of thrombosis
She also stressed that even people who have received the first dose and had a history of thrombosis before taking it should proceed to the second dose, because if they do not complete their vaccination this also has an effect on the effectiveness of the drug.
"Since no serious adverse reactions (thrombosis, facial paresis, severe gastrointestinal disorders, neurological symptoms) occurred, then the 2nd dose is extremely rare to cause a serious side effect," noted Ms Panagiotopoulou.
The EMA does not risk its reputation
Referring further to the issue, she said that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a materially competent scientific authority and does not risk either its reputation or its scientificity, to add that "if something were to happen that would be doubtful and there was some suspicion, they would certainly stop use of this vaccine".
Asked to comment on the reports of scientists in Cyprus, who raise the issue of age restriction for this vaccine and whether the Ministry of Health is having second thoughts about differentiating the instructions for use of AstraZeneca, the Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services clearly stressed that no such thoughts are being made, explaining that EMA clearly states that there are no age restrictions for this vaccine.
The Ministry adheres to the recommendations of the EMA
In addition, she said That Cyprus is moving with this data and adheres to the recommendations of the European Medicines Agency, unless, she noted, and if the Agency changes recommendations.
She did not fail to recall that Cyprus gives the right to choose a vaccine, which no other country inside and outside the EU provides, and has again encouraged the reporting of side effects by filling out the yellow card and sending it to the Pharmaceutical Services, so that we can all contribute to the reports of side effects.
Trained Health Professionals
In addition, she said that all health professionals, personal doctors, health professionals of vaccination centres, haematologists in first aid and all members of the Cyprus Medical Association have been repeatedly informed with similar educational material, which the EMA has approved with regard to the symptoms of thromboembolism and/or thrombocytopenia.
She also added that an electronic link had been sent to all doctors through the PIS, for easy access to the officially approved clinical and prescription characteristics of all four vaccines, so all doctors are aware of what is being done with indications and contraindications of each vaccine.
In the meantime, Ms Panagiotopoulou says that citizens can turn to the Pharmaceutical Services and 22608607 for advice and report possible side effects.
There is no medicine or vaccine without side effects
"We have to keep in mind," she said, "that there is no drug or vaccine without side effects. And the simplest drug, if we gave it en masse to such a large number of people, would have a side effect,' she said.
In relation to a large number of citizens, who have second thoughts of proceeding with the 2nd dose of this vaccine, Ms Panagiotopoulou said that "if someone does not proceed with the 2nd dose they do not complete the vaccination and this also has an effect on the effectiveness of the drug", to add that "it must definitely proceed, since the risk of the Indian strain is high".
She explained that Cyprus remains in the category of high-risk countries and despite the improvement in the epidemiological picture of recent days, with regard to the reduction of positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths, the risk of Covid 19 disease persists.
In good condition, the 40-year-old is not replicating the thromboembolic episode with the 39-year-old
Asked about the health condition of the 40-year-old woman who has been in hospital since Sunday due to a serious thromboembolic incident, following vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine, Ms Panagiotopoulou assured that her condition remains good, due to the immediate action of doctors.
In response to a question about the case of the 39-year-old who died following a thromboembolic event following vaccination with AstraZeneca, Ms Panagiotopoulou said that it is not substantiated that the thromboembolic event is linked to vaccination.
It also noted that thromboembolic events also occur in the general population, without vaccination, to add that the report on the incident has been submitted to the EMA and is being examined together with other similar suspected cases from all over Europe.
She concluded by saying that by increasing the number of vaccinations the chances of seeing rare side effects from all vaccines are greater and we should all be prepared for this.
Cna
