The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine should only be for the elderly and immunocompromised, those with weakened immune systems.
“There are no specific data to recommend the fourth dose more broadly,” WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan told a news conference.
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“We know that in some groups immunity declines rapidly. If you are older or have a disease that affects the immune system, are on thyroid treatment, use cancer medications, or have severe diabetes, the immune system does not respond well and a fourth dose can help,” advised Swaminathan.
The scientist warned that the two initial doses and a booster offer “a fuller and stronger immune response, so we consider the first phase of the vaccination to be three doses”.
Swaminathan said the rest of the population does not need to receive a fourth dose of the vaccine at this time. The representative also wanted to recall that there is a large part of the world’s population that does not have access to vaccines.
Covid-19: WHO recommends a fourth dose of vaccine for the elderly and immunocompromised. Credit: Melinda Nagy/Shutterstock
“In Africa, only 26% of the population over 60 has received doses, and this is very concerning because in any future epidemics, such as what we see in some countries, this group is at risk of developing serious disease, “, she said. , which also reported that only 15% of the local population had received two doses of the vaccine.
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