M.O.H.W. on the Nuts and Bolts of the Vaccine
The Ministry of Health and Wellness says that there is a lot of misinformation and fear as it relates to the vaccines and this has led to a lower than expected number of vaccinations administered. Today, Doctor Natalia Largaespada Beer spoke with the media about why they are championing the vaccines for immunity and what level of protection it will afford you against the COVID-19 virus.
Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, Maternal & Child Health Technical Advisor, M.O.H.W.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is part of the national response and we chose to focus on the immunity through that and not through the disease itself and this is worldwide; hence the reason we have so many countries administering the vaccines nuh. The anti-bodies start to protect fourteen days after the first shot and the level of effectiveness is around forty-fifty percent and with the second dose that will be boost up to sixty two to ninety percent. Remember the protection like with every other medication or vaccine is not a hundred percent preventative of the infection. So, if we say overall we have seventy percent effectiveness then it means that there might be some persons that will get infected with COVID-19 if they don’t follow the other recommended measures. So, when they get infected because they have some level of antibodies that will definitely protect them from getting the severe illness – so they might get ill and don’t even know they have the COVID-19.”
Natalia Largaespada Beer
Reporter
“The shots are spaced three months apart in Belize when ideally wouldn’t it be given twenty-one days apart?”
Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer
“Well, the ideally being the manufacturing company recommendations and the evidence that is out there. Plus, we need to remind ourselves that the at this point is low and the evidence is showing that you have higher antibodies around twelve weeks. So, the reason why we started out with healthcare is because we don’t know when a third wave will kick in to Belize so we need to protect the most critical which is the healthcare workers for them to receive their second shot before that.”
