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(CNN Spanish) -
Chile began a study with 564 volunteers to determine the immune response when applying a booster dose of the vaccine against covid-19, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health of that country.
The objective is to analyze whether it is necessary to provide a third dose in light of the advance of the new coronavirus variants.
"The situation of the pandemic and the appearance of new variants suggest that we will need to reinforce our vaccination strategy to face this threat. For that, knowing the immune response of a booster dose will be key," said Undersecretary of Public Health Paula Daza .
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Officials from the Public Assistance Emergency Hospital (Posta Central) and officials and residents of some Long-Stay Establishments for the Elderly (Eleam) participate voluntarily in the study.
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The procedure for volunteers is to first answer a short survey, after which a blood sample is drawn and they receive the booster dose.
Then there will be a follow-up to the volunteers with new blood samples 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after receiving the injection to analyze and determine the evolution of the antibodies, according to the ministry.
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The Ministry of Health did not indicate which booster vaccine is being applied to these volunteers, but it did specify that in April of this year a study began with adults who supplemented their vaccination schedule with Sinovac.
"The idea is to identify factors that can condition the SARS-CoV-2 immune response and, with this new information, make the best decisions for Chileans," said Daza.
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As of Monday, Chile had vaccinated a total of 23,816,799 people.
Of that total, 12,898,403 correspond to people with the first dose, and 11,399,491 to fully vaccinated people, according to the Ministry's website.
The health authorities reported this Tuesday a total of 1,590,887 confirmed cases of covid-19 and 34,016 people died from causes related to the virus.
Coronavirus Vaccine