MOH intends to postpone second dose of the Oxford vaccine

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KUWAIT CITY, Feb 10: The Ministry of Health intends to postpone administering the second dose of the Oxford vaccine to those who received the first dose for a period of three months in a bid to increase the number of segments covered by the vaccination program, reports Al-Qabas daily.

Health sector officials explained to the daily that this delay is in view of the publication of medical studies confirming the vaccine is more effective if the second dose is delayed.

They also clarified that those who received the first dose of Pfizer vaccine will receive the second dose as scheduled — after a period ranging from 21 to 28 days without any delay.

They said the booked appointments for the second dose of Oxford vaccine will be rescheduled to 12 weeks after receiving the first dose, not four weeks as they were informed through messages sent to their phones.

According to these officials, recent studies have shown that the Oxford vaccine may reduce the risk of corona infection, as well as provide strong immunity for three months after receiving only one dose; indicating that postponing the second dose of the vaccine for about three months will pave way for administering the first dose to larger groups until the new order of vaccines arrives — both Oxford or Pfizer, or the vaccines that will be officially approved in the coming period.

They added the study revealed that protection remained at 76 percent within three months following the first dose of Oxford vaccine, while the rate increased to 82 percent after the second dose. They pointed out the effectiveness of the vaccine for those who received a single dose is from the 22nd to the 90th day, while protection gradually recedes after three months.

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