The two doses (50 mcg and 100 mcg) of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Moderna meet the safety requirements to be administered to the population, the director general of strategic public health interventions at the Ministry of Health (Minsa) said on Sunday. Alexis Holguin.
“These vaccines, at doses of 50 mcg and 100 mcg, met the criteria for safety and efficacy. They are safe vaccines,” Holguin said.
His remarks came at a press conference held by a Minsa panel of experts this afternoon after complaints about an alleged delivery of Moderna vaccine doses containing more than the authorized amount of vaccine.
He explained that health regulations in Peru allow the administration of both 50 µg and 100 µg of this vaccine. In the case of the third or fourth doses, 100 mcg is administered to immunocompromised patients, while 50 mcg is administered in other cases.
In this regard, Holguin noted that cases of reactions such as pain in the inoculation area, headache and fever have been reported during the administration of the fourth dose of the Moderna vaccine.
“This is why a new meeting (of the group of experts) is being held to specify the quantity of this type of medicine in the fourth dose administered”, he underlined.
The official pointed out that in different countries, such as the United States and Canada, changes have been made, such as the administration of 100 mcg of the Moderna vaccine to specific populations, which are much more exposed to COVID-19, like health workers.
For her part, the director of vaccinations of Minsa, Maria Elena Martinez, indicated that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will continue to be administered to people over 70, health personnel and immunocompromised people, but at a dose of 50 mcg.
(END) LIT/RMB
Published: 04/24/2022
