They are unable to stop the coronavirus and analyze the application of a third dose of the vaccine

The authorities of Chile admitted this Friday the possibility of applying a third dose of vaccines against the coronavirus, given a marked increase in hospitalizations among adults over 70 who received their first injection in February.

In the past 24 hours, 6,770 new infections have been reported. If this is a considerable drop compared to the figures of Friday, June 11 when 7,972 new cases were recorded, the truth is that the active cases already reach 41,091, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Health.

And what worries the authorities the most is that 3,286 patients have been found seriously hospitalized by Covid-19 in intensive care units. Of these, 2,833 require assistance with a mechanical ventilator.

In addition, the report pointed out that there is now a 96% bed occupancy in hospitals across the country.

Public Health Under Secretary Paula Daza told Radio Universo that Chile’s health ministry it “monitors and evaluates to see the possibility of needing a third dose.”

Vaccinations and follow-up

The official revealed that to determine if this third injection is necessary, “the laboratories are monitoring” and the government of Sebastián Piñera “is waiting for the results that the Catholic University is doing”.

About this research work, Alexis Kalergis, a doctor who is leading this study at the Catholic University, told the newspaper Mercury What the first results will be presented in July.

For now, he added, we are awaiting the conclusion of the “follow-up of people who had both doses at 28 days, and six months later (after inoculation), and as we see these results, we will see the need to place a third dose, which will probably happen. “

The expert explained that this possibility is considered because “the vaccines, when they have been approved, they were vaccinations in emergency situations they’ve reached a two-month follow-up, so normally when a vaccine is approved in the normal way, it has a one-year follow-up.

And he added: “All vaccines are new and have a follow-up of six to eight months, it is only now that we will have information to know when we need, yes or no, a third dose. “

Increase in cases

Chile reports so far 11,624,347 people vaccinated against the coronavirus, with at least one dose, a more than significant figure for a country of just over 19 million inhabitants.

Despite its good vaccination campaign, which began massively last February, it is experiencing an increase in daily cases and deaths, and it keeps the entire national hospital system under pressure, with Santiago, the capital, as the main focus of the disease. pandemic.

Critical beds available on Friday reached 188, thirteen more than Thursday, officials said.

Regarding those who died, the Department of Health Statistics and Information (Deis) reported 119, bringing the total number of deaths from causes associated with the coronavirus to 31,259.

Source: ANSA

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