The Ministry of Health and Social Protection recommended, on Saturday, the adoption of a reminder dose of the vaccine against the “Covid-19”
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| The Scientific Committee monitors the importance of the fourth dose in the face of pandemic mutations |
virus for the elderly and “vulnerable groups”, in order to ensure protection from this virus.
A statement by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection stated that this decision comes within the framework of updating the national strategy for vaccination against the emerging coronavirus, in order to immunize the gains achieved by the Kingdom in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In this regard, the Ministry called on, based on the recommendations of the Scientific Committee, people over 60 years of age, in particular, as well as people of 18 years and over who suffer from morbid factors, to take a reminder dose of the vaccine against the “Covid-19” virus. 6 months after receiving the third booster dose.
As for Professor Saeed Afif, a member of the Scientific Committee for Vaccination, "the rate of vaccination with the third dose did not exceed 18 percent, knowing that it is essential for groups suffering from chronic diseases, as well as for elderly people."
Afif explained, in a statement to Hespress electronic newspaper, that "the most important is the third dose, but it is recommended to add another dose for people over sixty years of age, in the context of preventing the repercussions of the pandemic."
And the medical expert added, "The coronavirus is still living among us, despite its low virulence, and therefore vaccination operations should continue," noting that "the virus is still targeting the elderly who suffer from chronic diseases."
In turn, Professor Said Mutawakil, a member of the Scientific and Technical Committee for Vaccination, confirmed that "the report of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection falls within the current viral developments in the summer, not only in Morocco but in the whole world."
Mutawakil pointed out, in an interview with Hespress, that “vaccination has a specific immunity in time, not exceeding eight months, but its roles are important in preventing serious symptoms,” stressing “the importance of vaccination with the third dose for all, and the fourth dose for fragile groups.”
And the health expert added that “the current viral mutant spreads very quickly, but its fatality rate is low,” and he added, explaining: “There is an immune escape due to the mutant, as the effectiveness of vaccination decreases, which requires the need to receive the fourth dose for people who suffer from chronic diseases.”
And the same speaker added: “Chronic diseases are related, for example, to diabetes, high blood pressure, immune fragility, respiratory failure, cancer, and others,” concluding that “the fourth dose will not be general, but will be limited to groups that do not include only the elderly but are also associated with young people who suffer in turn. consequences of chronic diseases.