Margarita del Val: "We must prioritize doses in the third world instead of vaccinating children"

In the midst of the debate about the suitability of third doses and vaccination of children, the immunologist and epidemiologist of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Margaret of the Valley insisted this Wednesday, during the Deontology Forum of the Zaragoza College of Physicians, in the need for the doses to reach healthcare workers and the elderly in the third world, where only 3% of the population has received the covid vaccine.

"There is no evidence that the third dose is necessary for everyone or that it helps to protect more," he said. He acknowledged that there is not much evidence regarding the elderly either, but The "principle of prudence" is applied because the "virus can surprise us" as he has done before. As for minors, he highlighted that the benefit is more "marginal" given that "they control the disease very well", so he considered that it may not be necessary to immunize them. "Instead of raising demand for vaccines and putting pressure on companies, we must allow them to go to the third world", he pointed out. He trusted that, as with the rest of the vaccines except for the flu, one cycle will be enough.

Del Val also stated that we must find out the reasons that lead a person not to get vaccinated and convince them to do so. "In the first wave, 5% of the Spanish population was infected and it was very tragic. If we now had 5% of the elderly population unvaccinated and without measures, we would have another similar wave again," he emphasized, while highlighting the "responsibility" and "solidarity" of citizens that has allowed us to have high vaccination rates. immunization.

Regarding the renunciation of patents, he explained that also it is necessary to transfer the technology and collaborate in its manufacturing to avoid wasting limited raw materials.