ARCHIVED - Spanish Minister for Science hints at third coronavirus vaccine dose this year
Research in Catalunya suggests that Covid immunity decreases after only three months in over-65s who have not contracted the virus
Although no definitive policy statement has yet been issued by the Spanish government, the evidence continues to accumulate that a third dose of coronavirus vaccine will be required before the end of this year, particularly in the case of older age groups which were first to receive their jabs during the winter and early spring.
Speaking in a television interview on Wednesday August 4, Diana Morant, the Minister for Science, acknowledged that in all likelihood “we will have to be vaccinated many more times” in the future and the coronavirus pandemic “is not going to leave us”.
“I’m not only talking about a third dose”, she added, “I’m taking about next year, the year after…”, indicating that this will be the case all over the world and not only in Spain.
Sra Morant also recognized the need to ensure that global vaccination must be accelerated, while underlining that the setback suffered this week by those researching a Spanish vaccine at the CSIC and Biofabri does not in any way mean that their research has been curtailed.
In addition, she pointed out the rapidity of Spain’s response to the pandemic over the last 18 months, reminding viewers that prior to February last year not only were there no Covid-19 vaccines, but in Spain neither respirators nor facemasks were produced. Now, on the other hand, production has mushroomed and four Spanish manufacturers are taking part in the creation of vaccines which as recently as a year ago did not exist.
Meanwhile, research carried out at the Institut Català de la Salut (ICS) suggests that those aged over 65 will require a third vaccine dose if they have not also contracted Covid, and that immunity lasts for as little as three months in this sector of the population due to the deterioration of the human body’s immune system over time. Those who contracted Covid before being vaccinated, on the other hand, reach levels of antibody production similar to those of younger adults.