People between 50 and 59 years old are already accessing their anti-COVID-19 booster dose in Ecuador

With an umbrella in hand to protect yourself from the intense sun, Victor Brito I was in 13th place, outside the Las Casas health center, in the north center of Quito, to receive the third dose against COVID-19.

58 years old and linked to the health sector, Brito he was five months old from his second dose and the booster could be given.

The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) established that from this Monday, January 3 and until January 31, 2022, those over 50 years of age could already receive the third vaccine, after five months of the second, and between 18 and 49 years, after six months.

Brito not only carried an umbrella, too I wore a double mask and transparent face shield. He had been in the waiting line for about 20 minutes.

“Let’s hope that people come because There is no other alternative. In addition to the vaccine, it is obvious to avoid crowds, which is the fundamental thing, ”he said.

Regarding the previous vaccines, he said that had a little pain on the shoulder but nothing else.

“Worries because it can invalidate the effect of the vaccine “, indicated Brito about the omicron variant, which is considered more contagious.

From inside the vaccination point came Julio Vega, 46 years old. He went to the second dose together with his wife, 40, because about four months ago she gave them COVID-19. He wanted to get Pfizer but was injected with AstraZeneca.

“They said to take the second dose (of) Pfizer because it works better even though they are experimental vaccines…”, he claimed.

Vaccines do not give Vega much confidence and he mentioned that malls You cannot enter if you do not bring the document proving that you have been vaccinated.

We will have to continue vaccinating the population until the COVID-19 disease becomes endemic, says Minister Ximena Garzón

At Metropolitan Sports CenterIn the Iñaquito sector, in the north of Quito, there was also interest in the vaccine.

Before noon, dozens of people they waited seated inside the place and more than 100 outside.

Marcelo Chiriboga, 53 years old, dedicated to agriculture, was by the booster dose after having received the second five and a half months ago. He stressed the attention.

“Health, prevention, avoid being in an ICU room”, Argued about the importance of getting vaccinated.

You agree that it is require the vaccination document in all places as a way for the entire population to agree to be inoculated.

Meanwhile, somewhat dissatisfied, he left this inoculation point Fernando Ramos, 53, because they did not vaccinate him. He had one day to go until he was five months old from the second injection.

“I have to travel today, so I thought they could put me on; They tell me that if I am not five months old, they cannot vaccinate me ”, he mentioned.

Wait on Machala, where you travel, find an immunization site.

In Guayaquil, an ‘accelerated’ increase in COVID-19 infections is reported since last week, according to local COE

In Ecuador, booster dose apply from October 2021. It began with health personnel and spread to older adults, people with immunosuppression, and the general population.

People from 60 years They already started receiving the third vaccine as of December of last year.

Juan Carlos Espín, family physician and epidemiologist from the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), indicated that a month has been advanced for those over 50 to try to achieve the highest coverage of people with reinforcement.

In total, according to the MSP, they are close to two million inhabitants in this age group.

This reduction in time, the Government has indicated, is due to the increase in COVID-19 infections and by the circulation of the omicron variant.

According to him vaccinometer, a tool created by that State portfolio to follow the vaccination plan, until December 31, 2021, 1’127,965 booster doses.

Espín did not rule out that the age groups in accordance with the demand that is presented.