- EDITIONS: Spanish News Today Murcia Today Alicante Today
ARCHIVED - Monodose Janssen Covid vaccine to be used in Spain for people aged 50 to 59
So far the single dose vaccine has been given mainly to those in their seventies
As the Spanish health authorities continue to adjust their coronavirus vaccination protocols in the light of new information as it emerges, it has been announced that the single-dose Janssen vaccine which until now has been used mainly for people in their 70s is also to be brought into service to immunize those aged between 50 and 59.
In addition, the Janssen drug will be administered to others for whom the administration of two doses rather than one is for one reason or another especially problematic, such as itinerant workers, seafarers, those who suffer autism and the homeless.
The Janssen product is thus added to those of Pfizer and Moderna in the catalogue of those deemed appropriate for those in their fifties, while AstraZeneca remains restricted to those aged over 60.
Many of Spain’s regions have begun the mass vaccination of 50- to 59-year-olds over the last week and according to the latest government bulletin 16.7 per cent of the group have already received their first dose. Such is the current rate of rollout, in fact, that the government is now working on determining which product or products are to be designated for use in those aged between 40 and 50.
In the meantime, it is also expected that pregnant women and those who are breast-feeding infants will now be included in the vaccination program, given that sufficient evidence has been gathered to demonstrate that the use of the vaccines is safe for both mother and child.
Also added to the program are those aged 12 to 16 who are exposed to factors of high risk: until now the immunization of adolescents and pre-adolescents aged under 16 has not been contemplated.
As for the situation regarding the second dose of AstraZeneca for those aged under 60 who received the first dose before the minimum age limit for the product was decided upon, the Public Health Committee maintains its decision to extend the interval between the two jabs from 12 to 16 weeks. However, until the Carlos III Health Institute can provide evidence to prove that the second dose carries only minimal risk of clotting, the many thousands of people in this situation remain in a state of limbo, unaware of how and when their immunization against Covid-19 will be completed.