People under the age of 60 who have been vaccinated with a dose of Astrazeneca vaccine (now called Vaxzevria) can receive the second dose of a vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna, according to a directive from the General Directorate of Health (DGS) published this Friday, 28 May.
“This rule stipulates that people under 60 years old who have already been vaccinated with a dose of Vaxzevria vaccine can be vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine [such as Pfizer or Moderna], respecting the expected interval of 12 weeks after the first dose », refers to the DGS in the document published on its website.
"People who have delayed the second dose of the Astrazeneca regimen, awaiting a new recommendation from the DGS, should complete the vaccination, as soon as possible, with an mRNA vaccine dose," stresses the standard.
DGS points out that in this mixed scheme, some symptoms may appear, such as fever, tiredness, swelling or pain at the site of administration, in the first days after vaccination, as happens with all vaccines against covid-19.
As such, he advises, "people should be aware of these symptoms and follow the instructions in the standard and health professionals' leaflet."
Although in Portugal it is recommended that Vaxzevria vaccine be used in people aged 60 years and over, until new data are known, people under that age, who so wish, "on an individualized benefit-risk weight basis", can be inoculated with this vaccine provided that "their free and informed consent is obtained", says the DGS.
The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical vaccine is being used in Portugal with age limitations, as in early April, health authorities recommended its administration to people over 60 years of age.
This decision came days after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) indicated a "possible link" between the vaccine, which was renamed Vaxzevria, and "very rare cases" of blood clot formation, but noting that the benefits of receiving the drug far outweighed the risks of its side effects.
Over the next few days, over 340 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will arrive in Portugal, included in a batch of more than 1,4 million vaccines from various laboratories, which represents about 25% of the total 5,7 million doses already delivered. since the vaccination plan started, on December 27, 2020.
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