Pfizer’s 3rd dose; immune Chile; and other Covid-related facts in the Americas

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Pfizer’s insistence on the need for a 3rd dose to protect against the Covid-19 Delta variant was the focus of attention on Wednesday (28) in the Americas, a continent totaling 76.3 million infections and close to 2 million deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

This and 5 other facts about the coronavirus in the Americas this week:

PFIZER CLAIMS 5 TO 11 TIMES MORE PROTECTION AGAINST DELTA VARIANT

U.S. pharmaceutical Pfizer assured that a 3rd dose of its anti-Covid vaccine produces 5 times higher levels of antibodies against the Delta variant in people between 18 and 55, and more than 11 times in people ,between ages 65 and 85, according to preliminary data.

Pfizer estimates that this 3rd dose could “strongly boost” protection and potentially increase neutralization 100 times compared to the current 2-dose schedule.

The company, which earlier this month said it intended to apply for authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to supply a new shot, believes “it is likely that a third booster dose will be needed 6 to 12 months after full vaccination to maintain high protection levels.”

CHILE NEARS HERD IMMUNITY

With almost 80% of the target population fully vaccinated and a dramatic drop in cases and ICU admissions, experts wonder if Chile has reached the desired herd immunity.

After a severe second wave that ran from March through July, the pandemic is now down to levels unseen since April 2020 with the lowest number of new infections in 15 months recorded last Tuesday with 753 cases, a far cry from the 9,000+ cases per day during the 2nd wave.

With one of the world’s most successful immunization campaigns, 79.2% of its target population is now fully vaccinated, more than 86% have been administered a dose, and 12 of the 16 regions have surpassed the threshold of 80% of the target population vaccinated.

BRAZIL DEATHS DOWN, BUT UP IN CUBA

One of the world’s 3 hardest hit countries by Covid, Brazil recorded 1,344 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours and surpassed 553,000 since the start of the pandemic, but the average number of daily deaths fell to 1,082, its lowest level in five months.

This average is also almost 3 times lower than that recorded last April 12, when the country reached a record average of 3,124 daily deaths at the peak of the 2nd wave of the pandemic.

Good news that contrasts with data from another American country, Cuba, which on Wednesday registered 9,323 new cases, a record since the start of the pandemic on the island in March 2020.

A figure that outlines a worrying trend as the previous record for the highest number of cases was set last Sunday with 8,854 confirmed cases.

U.S. STUDENTS AND WORKERS TO BE VACCINATED

There have been several calls from authorities, academia and companies for Americans to get vaccinated, given the high presence of the Delta variant of Covid-19.

In the case of Google, the Internet giant notified its over 130,000 employees worldwide that they are required to be vaccinated before returning to their offices in October.

Meanwhile in Florida, the deans of its 12 state universities urged their students to be vaccinated before the start of the fall semester, due to begin at the end of August.

Miami-Dade County, southeast Florida, on Wednesday once again imposed the obligation to wear masks inside government facilities, given the “alarming” upsurge of Covid-19 in the state, a measure that will affect both employees and visitors.

US$100 FOR ANYONE WHO GETS VACCINATED

Pizzas, hamburgers, free movie tickets, all sorts of things have been done to encourage Americans to get vaccinated and from Friday, the city of New York will offer US$100 to anyone signing up for the immunization plan, as announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The aim is to boost the vaccination campaign in the Big Apple, which is now close to 10 million doses administered but has seen the rate slow down in recent weeks.

According to the most recent official data, 54.4% of New York’s population (8.3 million) is fully vaccinated, a percentage that rises to 65.5% if only adults are considered.

PAHO: VENEZUELA TO RECEIVE COVAX VACCINES

“In the coming weeks” Venezuela will be delivered a batch of Covid-19 vaccines through the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Covax distribution mechanism, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

During an online press conference, PAHO’s Director of Health Emergencies Ciro Ugarte said that official correspondence between the Covax facility and Venezuela has confirmed that the doses will be delivered “between July and September.”

The Caribbean country will have access to Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, after Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro on July 4 demanded that the Covax mechanism send the doses or return the money to his country.