WHO Warns Sinovac Vaccine Users to Immediately Do This

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The World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends those who receive vaccines with an inactivated virus method such as Sinovac to immediately get a booster or third dose of vaccine.

This recommendation made by WHO aims to keep the body protected from the Covid-19 virus after a decrease in immunity from this type of vaccine.

These recommendations were released by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE). Inactivated vaccines take the SARS-CoV-2 virus and inactivate or kill it using chemicals, heat, or radiation. This method of making vaccines is the most frequently used in the world of health.

The recommendation does not mention the type of vaccine. However, there are two types of inactivated vaccines that received an emergency use listing (EUL) from the WHO, namely the Sinovac vaccine called CoronaVac and the Sinopharm vaccine named BBIBP-CorV.

SAGE chairman Alejandro Cravioto said the vaccine provided a strong level of protection against severe disease for at least six months, although data suggest immunity to severe disease is reduced in the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

In a previous statement, Alejandro, as quoted by Reuters, Tuesday (14/12/21), explained “For now we continue to support the need for even distribution (of the vaccine) and the use of the third dose only in those with health problems or people who have received inactivated vaccines. .”

Furthermore, WHO Department of Immunizations Director Kate O’Brien said the Covid-19 vaccine provided “very good” protection for six months after the second dose with some “small, moderate reduction” in protection.

This recommendation was issued in line with concerns that the Omicron variant of Covid-19, which is said to be more contagious, would reduce the vaccine’s ability.

Previously, the Ministry of Health advised people who had previously been vaccinated with two doses of Sinovac to use certain other types of vaccines as the third stage of the vaccine.

The Director-General of Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, explained that during clinical trials the results of the Sinovac booster vaccine on recipients of the previous two doses of Sinovac vaccine were very low.

“My last circular letter dated February 26 has not yet been received, only Sinovac, Sinovac, Sinopharm. Because clinical trials are very low for Sinovac, Sinovac, and Sinovac (booster). Not included in the booster regimen,” explained Maxi in the RDP with Commission IX of the DPR RI, Wednesday (30/3/2022).

The results of the Ministry of Health’s clinical trial are actually in line with the results of research in Brazil. The study, conducted in Brazil and the University of Oxford, found that the Sinovac vaccine received a better booster than vector platform vaccines (AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson) or mRNA platform vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) against Covid-19 including the Omicron variant and Delta.

In more detail, four types of booster vaccines can be given to Sinovac vaccine recipients, namely, the half dose of AstraZeneca (0.25 ml), the half dose of Pfizer (0.15 ml), the full dose of Moderna (0.5 ml), and a full dose of Sinopharm ( 0.5 ml).