Filenews 20 August 2021 - by Evangelia Sizopoulou
A study of the data for the administration of a third dose of a vaccine against COVID-19 in Cyprus is also initiated today by the Working Group of the European Medicines Agency, presenting the results of a similar study conducted in Israel. Under the microscope of specialists will be put vaccines with mRNA, namely those of Pfizer and Moderna.
As the Deputy Director of the Pharmaceutical Services, Elena Panagiotopoulou, mentioned, the discussion on the third dose never stopped at European level and it is expected that the results of the study in Israel will be of great interest.
Regarding where a possible third tranche will be oriented, Mrs Panagiotopoulou said that from the European data so far, it is not the general population but the prevailing scenario is specific population groups. For example, immunocompromised, elderly and people with specific diseases as well as frontline professionals, as the risk is greater.
In addition, Mrs. Panagiotopoulou said that the fact that these are vaccines that are already available and have long been licensed and used, and are not new, makes the process easier. That is why we are waiting for some European directives, but we can go ahead and see as a country what we are doing for a third tranche, which will be a booster, as he explained.
Asked whether Cyprus is ready for a third dose in terms of the supply and quantities of vaccines, Mrs Panayotopoulos replied in the affirmative. She said Cyprus has arranged for a third dose with procurement procedures for the licensed Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, as well as for the Novavax vaccine, which is expected to be licensed in September.
With regard to the study conducted by the Working Group of the European Medicines Agency in the case of Israel, this was done on people who had completed both doses of their vaccine. They underwent PCR (molecular tests) and recorded those found to have been infected with coronavirus despite vaccination coverage. In this group, specific parameters were recorded, such as their age as well as the time of illness from the completion of their vaccination regimen. These seem to be the basic parameters of study as well as the characteristics of specific population groups.
Mrs. Panagiotopoulou said that an announcement from the European Medicines Agency is expected and it is known that the Us Medicines Agency has already approved the third dose, as well as countries in Europe, including Greece.
Stabilization to reduction in hospitalized
Meanwhile, yesterday, the CYSO referred to the management of the pandemic within hospitals, pointing out that in recent days there has been a stabilization to a decrease in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. As far as the ICU is concerned, the number of hospitalized patients (COVID and POST COVID) remains high but stable.
As noted by the CySEC, the proper preparation for the autumn period has been made and took into account important parameters, such as the start of surgeries for non-emergency cases and the uninterrupted provision of quality health services to non-COVID-19 patients, as well as the commencement of a special program of service to the public that is on waiting lists, during the afternoon hours.
