Since the vaccine against COVID-19 entered the immunization schedule, many doubts have begun to arise, mainly about the best indication for each public and the regularity with which it should be applied. With the arrival of the bivalent vaccine, the situation could not be different. With this immunization update, the main question for those who have already been vaccinated is: will I need to take another dose? To clarify this and other questions on the subject, we interviewed infectologist Flávia Cohen.
Bivalent vaccine for COVID-19: what is it?
The doctor says that the bivalent vaccine for COVID-19 is an update, compared to the initial immunizers. “Pfizer was able to develop two new bivalent vaccines, with two mRNA sequences each, one coding for the original spike protein (Sars-CoV-2) and the other coding for omicron BA.1 or BA.4/BA .5. The bivalent vaccines are an omicron-adapted combination of the current Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 immunizer.”
This means that its difference, compared to other vaccines, is that the immunizer offers protection against the original strain of the coronavirus and sub-variants of omicron, which makes its coverage wider.
Who will need this vaccine?
The entire population will need to take this reinforcement to expand the protection of new variants of COVID-19. Initially, the new vaccination plan released by the Ministry of Health will vaccinate the groups most exposed to the risk of the disease. The specialist released the list of these priorities:
– People over 60 years old;
– adolescents in socio-educational measures;
– truck drivers and truck drivers;
– children aged 6 months to 4 years;
– Armed forces;
– security and rescue forces;
– pregnant and postpartum women;
– disabled people;
– people with comorbidities;
– population deprived of liberty;
– indigenous, riverside and quilombola peoples;
– teachers and professors;
– public transport professionals;
– port professionals;
– professionals from the System of Deprivation of Liberty;
– female and male health workers.
What are the reactions of the bivalent vaccine for COVID-19?
Infectologist Flávia Cohen says that the effects are very similar to those of other vaccines. Here’s what to expect from these reactions:
– Redness and swelling at the application site;
– headaches and by the body;
– nausea;
– fatigue;
– fever;
– chills;
– sensation of heat;
– itch;
– hematomas;
– muscle and joint pain;
– diarrhea;
– cold-like symptomssuch as sore throat, runny nose and cough.
It is worth remembering that vaccination is one of the most important and effective ways to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. If you are overdue for a dose, be sure to look for the nearest health center to your home or work and get vaccinated!
Source: cuidadospelavida.com.br
