Even though international health organizations have yet to offer recommendations, Romania has begun to distribute the fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. More than half of Romanians are not vaccinated, and just one in ten has had a booster dose.
On May 16, 2022, Romanians will be able to receive their fourth and final dose of the COVID immunization developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. They must be at least four months removed from their first booster (the third dose), at least 18 years old, and have previously received at least one mRNA dose.
Only the Pfizer Comirnaty vaccine will be used for the fourth dosage in Romanian vaccination clinics and family care clinics. Notably, hospitals house the great majority of the currently operational immunization facilities. COVID-19 vaccines can only be provided in the context of family medicine after July 1. Second boosters should be received through vaccination clinics and general medical offices rather than the vaccine platform.
The fourth dose is indicated for people over the age of 60, but it can be taken by anyone over the age of 18. The fourth dose includes a certificate attesting to enhanced immunity.
The Romanian government does not suggest a fourth inoculation for people who have already received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
There is a significant dispute over whether a fourth dose is necessary. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), adults over the age of 80 should receive a fourth dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (EMA).
There is “no credible evidence in the EU that vaccine protection against serious disease is substantially declining in individuals with normal immune systems,” according to a joint press release from the ECDC and EMA. Meanwhile, the two organizations have requested that countries postpone any immunization efforts until new vaccines are ready.
According to the study, three doses of mRNA vaccines are required to get maximal immunity. The famous medical publication, The Lancet, just released additional evidence on the efficacy of a fourth dose. Like the previous three shots, the fourth dose was well tolerated and increased the immune system.
However, strong antibody levels were detected in certain patients in the same study, notably those who had been vaccinated but were ill, rendering the fourth dosage unnecessary.
Fourth doses of either the Pfizer or half-dosage Moderna vaccines were proved to be safe “above and above” the third dose, according to trial head Saul Faust. Some suspect, however, that the trial participants may have reached a limit. ” “Vaccination, host immunity, and dose will define this,” he stated. One of the primary drawbacks of the study was that just a few people took part (166). A smaller trial (154 participants) discovered that the fourth dose was 66% effective against the illness symptoms of the Omicron variation.
The World Health Organization, the world’s most authoritative medical body, has made no explicit recommendation for a fourth dose. A fourth dose is not required at this time, according to Soumya Swaminathan, the WHO’s top scientist, in an interview with CNBC.
Only 42% of Romanians have obtained all of their required vaccines, and only 9% (or 11%) have received a booster dosage. Romania is the least vaccinated country in Europe, with only 72.6 percent fully inoculated (83 percent) and 51.7 percent receiving a booster vaccination.