After days of waiting, last Monday theEMA has finally expressed itself on a possible third dose of anti-Covid vaccine to be administered to the population. About vaccines Pfizer-Biontech (The Commune) to Modern (the spikevax) the European Medicines Agency, clarified that an additional dose can be administered to subjects immunosuppressed or with weakened immune system. This can be considered as a kind of "third recall". In fact, there is talk of an administration that must be performed at least 28 days after the second dose. The results of studies carried out by pharmaceutical companies showed how a third dose of the vaccine would generate on frail patients a increase in antibody production. However, a new "recall" could also be desirable for the whole population, albeit with different timing. In this case, however, the EMA has let it be national health authorities to decide whether or not to carry out the recall on healthy patients.
Third dose of vaccine: when it will be administered in Italy
As already seen in recent months, the Covid-19 fails to change and become more dangerous, with a higher viral load. Over time, however, the production of antibodies in vaccinated subjects could weaken. For this reason, many states (starting with Israel) are thinking about administering one third dose of vaccine for the entire population and not only to weak subjects. The European Medicines Agency has also expressed itself in this regard. According to the EMA, people with over 18 years of age, can receive the third dose of the vaccine at least 6 months after receiving the second. At the moment in Italy the categories that are receiving the third dose are: i fragile subjects, health workers most exposed to the virus (or older than 60 years), but also the over eighty and guests of the RSAs. Later you should think about the other age categories, up to 60 65-years.
In many cases the third dose of Pfizer vaccine (confirmation for Moderna is still missing) should be administered together with flu vaccine. From the studies carried out on those who have already received a third dose, there do not seem to be any side effects different from those seen with the first dose, with minimal risk. Currently in Italy the age group 18-59 years (without pathology) does not appear to have been considered for a new recall. In all probability it will all depend on how we get through the autumn and winter months. The virus could change again and the antibody response be weaker. A new dose could also lead to one long-term immunological memory, which manages to protect against Covid-19 for several months. All these factors could tip the balance towards an enlargement of the audience with a third recommended dose for the entire population. It will be like this?
