The Sri Lanka Medical Association in their latest communique has proposed that people above the age of 60 who had received 2 doses of Sinopharm, be given a third dose with AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna Vaccines If they are susceptible to a weak immune system.
“Studies from Bahrain has shown that in those over 50 years, Sinopharm vaccine, produces a robust immune response preventing death and severe disease compared to the unvaccinated, had a slightly increased death rate, and hospitalization compared to the Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik and Astra Zeneca vaccines,” said a statement.
It added that the studies from the laboratory of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Sri Jayawardanapura University (SJPU) has shown that, while almost all people over 60 years given the AstraZeneca vaccine develop antibodies, a very small proportion, 7%, given Sinopharm do not do so.
It further added that Children from 12 – 18 years generally do not get severe disease. However, children with certain underlying diseases may get severe disease.
Therefore, the SLMA recommends 2 doses of Pfizer for this group.
“Some people have been administered one dose of Sputnik; the second dose is different from the first. If the second dose is not available, Wesuggest that a single dose of AZ, Pfizer or Moderna be given instead,” it added.
The Sri Lanka Medical Association also suggested that, as there may a waning of immunity with time, a booster dose of the same or a different vaccine, be given to people over 60 years, who had been given 2 doses of AZ, at least 6 months after the second dose.
