The third dose of the vaccine once morest COVID-19 It applies in Peru from November 2021 to all people aged 18 and over. Almost four months following the health authorities approved the reinforcement of immunization for citizens, only 35.14% of the target population in general has the complete vaccination schedule.
According to the reports of the Single National Repository of Health Information (Reunis), among the regions with the lowest percentages of application of the booster dose, there are Puno, with 13.68%; Madre de Dios, with 14.75%; Loreto, with 19.92%; Ayacucho, with 19.38%; Huancavelica, with 22.36% and Amazonas, with 22.84%.
YOU CAN SEE: Minsa illuminated its facade in commemoration of the two years of fighting the pandemic
On the other hand, the regions with the best vaccination outlook throughout the country do not exceed 50%. Among them are Lima, with 44.73%; Callao, with 46.62%; Ica, with 45%, and Ancash, with 43.75%.
The infectologist Carlos Medina pointed out the overconfidence among citizens as one of the main causes of the low rates of application of the third dose. “Just before the third wave a message was sent that was misunderstood by people, that the wave that was coming was a very weak one, with a less lethal variant, that it was not going to generate complications. So, there was an overconfidence regarding that. The fact of hearing that the variant is milder made them not give it due importance, “he said in dialogue with The Republic.
As a second point, the specialist mentioned the start of immunizations for minors as other possible causes of neglect of the booster in the other population group. Older adults were removed from the radar, as they are the population that has died the most in the third wave. These are messages that are still being given. It is necessary to be more forceful in the message. Older adults have not had a good time, especially those over 60 and especially those over 80, “she continued.
YOU CAN SEE: Piura: agreement signed for the construction of the teacher’s house
Until this month of March, the confirmed cases of COVID-19 and deaths from this disease continue to decline in all regions. If the trend continues, it is likely that the third wave will end in March, according to the director of Public Health Surveillance of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), César Munayco.
“The fact that on average there are fewer people who have died than in previous waves, we must remember that the previous waves were without vaccination. Now, with such a high percentage that we have, at least with the first two doses, it cannot be allowed that there are so many deaths, ”said the specialist from the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.
What strategies should be applied in view of the low rates of application of the third dose?
For Carlos Medina, it is important that the minsa transmit the figures that the health crisis is leaving in a disaggregated way, since in this way it will be possible to appreciate that there are age groups that are in much greater danger from the virus. “What they have done is show the data of the deceased globally, but that way the impact it has had is not appreciated, if it is broken down by age, there you can see the overwhelming number of deceased,” he said. He also aimed to tidy up the data you already have and convey it in an easy-to-understand way.
YOU CAN SEE: They were anti-vaccines and following arriving at the ICU for COVID-19 they repented and were immunized
“A strong message must be sent that the third dose It is not only to avoid getting infected, as is thought, it is actually to reduce the risk of death, mainly in vulnerable groups, such as older adults, “he explained.
vaccination at home
The population that was most affected by the coronavirus pandemic is that of older adults, who unfortunately are not going to vaccination centers for their booster dose. “Right now there is very low coverage for those over 60, very low. You go to the provinces, Madre de Dios, Iquitos, percentages of less than 30% are seen in older adults, so it is important to promote house-to-house vaccination, because at this time there are not many people who come to the vaccination centers, “emphasized the infectologist doctor.
What is the scenario of an eventual fourth wave in Peru?
The minsa confirmed this Wednesday in its latest report that the end of the third wave of the coronavirus It would be at the end of March or at the beginning of April, since the downward trend in cases continues. However, for the specialist, international experience does not predict good scenarios if the restrictions are eased.
YOU CAN SEE: The number of hospitalized by COVID-19 falls
“In Europe, as restrictions are lifted, everyone has started to increase cases. Populations that have had a high number of infections, such as the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany or the Netherlands are now having a large number of infections. Sure, they’re getting infected, but they’re not being hospitalized. That is good, but it will not necessarily be replicated in the same way in our country, because our population is much more fragile,” the expert highlighted.
