There has been a lot of discussion lately about giving a single dose of vaccine to those who became ill with coronavirus and recovered. Already, there are studies and literature in relation to such a development. Moreover, the Vaccination Committee of Greece expected next week to announce that individuals who have become ill and recovered from Covid-19 can be vaccinated within 90 days (3 months) of the first day of illness. It is expected that in Greece there will be a decision as the vaccination of people who have recovered from the coronavirus will be considered complete and with one dose of the vaccine instead of two that citizens do in order not to get sick from Covid-19.
On the occasion of the discussion that arises both in Greece and elsewhere, we looked for what exactly applies in Cyprus even if the specific issue is being discussed.
The Deputy Director of Medical Services Olga Kalakouta speaking to Offsite reported that the past It was first discussed in February the whole issue and in Advisory Committee, but deemed appropriate to examine the ongoing data before decisions are made. According to Ms. Kalakuta, The day before yesterday, the whole issue was discussed again, but no recommendation was made to the Ministry of Health, as the literature and what emerges will be studied in other countries before decisions are taken ". The issue in short remains open and does not close.
Chr. Petrou: "There is no clear view"
Η Off site contacted the Associate Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Nicosia Dr. Christos Petrou who stated that: “There is no clear recommendation by the ECDC for granting a vaccine dose only to those who get sick ". "The debate," he said, "revolves around the fact that the first dose significantly increases the number of antibodies", while if someone is seriously ill, it is considered that he acquires antibodies, so he is covered".
Asked whether it is being discussed whether the administration of a dose covers more of those who have been ill for months, or in the last six months (something that applies to safepass) Dr. Petrou stated that: “The period of the six months he entered the Safe Pass is great. After them three months antibodies may be lost. "
Dr. Petrou answered whether it matters in giving a dose to someone who was seriously ill or asymptomatic. The answer of Dr. Chr. Peter's is that: "Severe patients develop more antibodies. The most young people are covered for 7 months, the older ones for a shorter period ".
Dr. N. Dietis: "Question the extent of immunity"
The Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the Medical School of the University of Cyprus Dr. Nikolas Dietis stressed that studies are emerging that show that the antibodies it acquires one person who became ill and received a dose of vaccine with another person who did not get sick and received two doses are the same. "What we do not know," he said, "and there is no recommendation is the range of immunity who has a person who got sick and received a dose ".
At the same time, Dr. Asked whether a single dose covers more people who have been ill for months, or in the last six months (something that applies to safepass), he said: "We can not know that. but the period of six months is with the existing data the safe limit that an organism retains antibodies against the coronavirus. It is possible that this limit will be changed at a later stage ". Dr. Dietis concluded by saying that each country examines the issue under its own data.
The issue is on the table - No recommendation or decision yet in Cyprus
Therefore based on the above issue is discussed and examined by the authorities in Cyprus. For the time being there is no decision. Depending on the latest data that emerge and the studies, it is not excluded that some developments may occur in Cyprus as well.
George Michailidis / Offsite