Filenews 14 July 2021 - Marilena Panagi
For the administration of a third dose of vaccine, at least in some groups of the population, the European Union is preparing, which has already concluded relevant contracts with the manufacturers, at a time when, of course, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has not yet been placed on it.
For their part, Cypriot scientists have been repeating for days that the issue should also start to concern the competent authorities in Cyprus, with particular reference to older people and immunosuppressed.
At the same time, the Health Ministry, while stressing that the possibility of mandatory vaccination of health professionals, by the standards of other countries, including Greece, is currently under discussion, warns that nothing is out of the question for the future.
From tomorrow, the "Walk In" vaccination centres will start operating. In other words, the centres where citizens can come without an appointment and be vaccinated.
All this, at a time when internationally the eye is on the dizzying speed at which the "Delta" mutation is transmitted among humans, leading states to make new, more rigorous decisions.
Pharmaceutical companies have now entered a new fight to manufacture vaccines covering more virus mutations, including the currently prevalent Delta mutation, and hope to prevent their new vaccines from being administered as a third or booster dose in the Fall.
In detail, at European level, the competent European Commission, as Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou said in a statement, "has already concluded agreements with Pfizer and Moderna so that if it is found that a third or supportive dose covering mutations is needed, it can be made available immediately to all EU Member States".
"We are already ready to sign contracts with both Pfizer and Moderna so that if and when a third dose is needed, or an enhanced dose for some mutations by the end of 2021 or 2022-2023 the EU will be ready," he said, clarifying that the European Medicines Agency has not yet been formally placed on the issue. At the same time, he added, "one of the vaccines for the ages of 12-15 has already been approved to go to the Member States if and when they decide to vaccinate those ages so that they can return to school and continue their education without problems in the Fall."
However, this issue has also been brought back to the debate by Cypriot scientists in recent days. Yesterday in statements to "F" the Scientific Advisor of the Ministry of Health on vaccination issues, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Christos Petrou, stressed that "so far there is data showing that for some categories, such as immunosuppressed, the third dose is ensuring for them the coverage they need. But a third is not so beneficial for the general population as a whole. The third dose will be necessary when it is scientifically proven."
As far as the Ministry of Health is concerned, it has already been stressed several times that pharmaceutical services are on hold, in view of the recommendations that will soon be received by the European Medicines Agency.
Yesterday, however, in relation to vaccinations, the Ministry of Health left open for the first time the possibility of a decision making it compulsory to vaccinate specific occupational groups, especially health professionals.
In a statement, the Ministry's press officer, Margarita Kyriakou, asked about this, said that "there is currently no discussion of compulsory vaccination of health professionals". But he added that "everything is under consideration."
He said that "what is needed at the moment is to make a record to show the vaccination rate to health officials, and if it turns out that the vaccination coverage rate remains low, "certainly all scenarios are open and everything is being considered."
Young people remain interested
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health, continuing its effort to vaccinate young people, issued a communication answering a number of questions that may concern people in the 16-30 age group.
Why do young people need to be vaccinated?
'Although the individual risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 disease in young people appears to be lower than in the rest of the population, young people are not immune to the virus. They may become infected, sick and participate in the transmission of the virus.
Why is it important to take both doses of the vaccine?
'Preliminary efficacy data from the UK have shown that two doses of vaccines protect against hospitalizations due to the 'Delta' mutation. On the contrary, administration of only one dose appears to provide reduced protection. In a population that has received only one dose of the vaccine, there is a potential risk of virus mutations."
Can a different vaccine be used as a 2nd dose?
'It is well known that vaccination campaigns in some EU Member States have a strategy of administering a 2nd dose of a different COVID-19 vaccine than that used for the 1st dose. Currently, Pharmaceutical Services is unable to make definitive recommendations on the use of different COVID-19 vaccines for both doses. However, preliminary results from studies in Spain and Germany indicate a satisfactory immune response and no safety concerns.
Can COVID-19 vaccines be given to children?
"Although fewer children have been infected with COVID-19 compared to adults, children may become infected with the SARS-CoV2 virus, become sick and transmit the virus to other people. At this stage, the only vaccine against COVID-19, which has been authorised by the European Medicines Agency for administration to people aged 12 years and over, is Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech)'.
From tomorrow vaccinations without an appointment
From tomorrow citizens will be able to be vaccinated without having previously arranged an appointment through the Vaccination Portal as the Ministry of Health will proceed with the operation of the "Walk In" Vaccination Centres.
According to the health ministry's press officer, "citizens who wish to do so will be able to be vaccinated without having scheduled an appointment in advance through the Vaccination Portal" and added that "in each Province, such a centre will be housed in existing vaccination centres".
Regarding the procedure to be followed, Ms Kyriakou said that "in the first stage it will concern those individuals who are beneficiaries of the GHS, in order to be easily identified through the software, while citizens will have to bring with them a form identifying their data, such as their personal identity".
