Spain decided on Thursday to administer a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to residents of nursing homes in the country, the Ministry of Health announced.
The ministry's public health commission decided to administer "
an additional dose to people living in retirement homes, taking into account their fragility, their polypathology profile and the fact that they live in closed environments
", he added. the ministry said in a press release.
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Spanish retirement homes have been severely affected by the pandemic, especially during the first wave in spring 2020. This third dose will also be administered to other groups of people at risk such as patients with transplants or placed under treatments that weaken the immune system. , added the ministry which had already decided at the beginning of September a third dose for certain very immunocompromised people.
By deciding to vaccinate residents of retirement homes, Spain is following the example of other countries such as France.
Other countries have decided, like Israel, to offer a booster dose to over 12s while the British government announced Tuesday that it would be offered next week to over 50s and caregivers.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) and part of the scientific community believe that these reminders on the entire population are not justified because the vaccines remain very effective against severe forms and that they will save more lives. if they are first administered to people not yet vaccinated, in particular in more disadvantaged countries.
Spain has already fully vaccinated 75% of its population, placing it in the leading group of European countries in this area.