Bivalent vaccine against COVID-19 is being launched across Brazil

Brazil's Ministry of Health will launch a nationwide vaccination campaign against the COVID-19 virus on Monday, 27 February. According to the ministry, the vaccine improves immunity against the virus of the original strain as well as against the omicron variant and has a safety and efficacy profile similar to monovalent vaccines.

Initially, the vaccine will be used to immunise people at risk. According to the distribution announced by the ministry, in the first phase immunisation will be given to people over the age of 70, people with compromised immunity; in the second phase to people aged between 60 and 69; in the third phase to pregnant women and women after childbirth; and in the fourth phase to health workers.

In Brazil, there are two bivalent vaccines, both produced in a Pfizer laboratory, which have been authorised by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for emergency use. They are indicated as a single booster dose for children and adults two months after completion of the primary vaccination regimen or as a final booster dose.

The Ministry stresses that monovalent vaccines against coronavirus are still available to the public in health facilities and are classified as "highly effective against the disease", providing a high level of immunity, as reported by Toda Palavra, a partner of TV BRICS.

Photo: Toda Palavra