Reckless spain - Page 16

Spain's "technical approach" has been to double-vaccinate in line with manufacturer's recommendations; so people from 65 years upwards and the vulnerable have been double vaccinated with Pfizer within 3 weeks.  Those of us who have been double-vaccinated with AZ had to wait 12 weeks, although my neighbour and I only had to wait 10 weeks, so there does appear to be variance between health regions. 

Personally, given some supply issues, controlled by the EU, rather than Spain, I think Spain has done a fantastic job of catching up.  However, I do think that allowing people from other countries to travel here without a PCR test was a grave mistake and will almost certainly be responsible for the predicted Delta variant surge, suggesting it will be the dominant strain here by the end of July 😔

Hi,

     article from El Pais

https://english.elpais.com/society/2021-04-09/spain-opts-to-use-astrazeneca-vaccine-for-60-to-69-year-olds.html

Aitch.

Hi,

     it would seem that from the attached article in El Pais the answer to your question is yes, they have been reckless. I could not understand why Spain never asked for either the vaccination proof and/or a test before allowing visitors into the country.

https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2021-07-08/spains-tourism-sector-fears-wave-of-cancellations-by-foreign-visitors.html

They are now worried that France and Germany may require returning visitors from Spain to quarantine, though France and Germany were not so worried about their citizens travelling to Spain a few months ago when their countries had bigger infection rates than Spain!

Aitch.

Hi Aitch,

That article is ftom early April.  Spain subsequently changed the age ranges and in this region gave AZ to 60-65 year olds and Pfizer to those older than 65.  Younger, essential workers, who were originally given AZ for their first dose, were offered the option for their second dose of either AZ or Pfizer.

Kind regards, 

Kim

Hi Kim,

     thanks, so they did initially use AZ for the older age group and then they changed tack after negative reports from other EU countries?

Aitch.

Hi Aitch,

Not quite, they were already working down the age groups with Pfizer and had originally said that AZ would be given to the group aged 55 to 69, but as the blood clot issue became apparent  they switched tack.  I think they would have had to do this anyway, as the EU then cancelled future contracts for AZ, which would have led to further supply issues down the line.  

The good news for those of us that did have AZ  is that a number of small studies have indicated that a booster jab of Pfizer provides greater efficacy against the virus.  Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to work the other way around for someone double-vaccinated with Pfizer receiving a booster of AZ, but with Moderna and Janssen approved in the EU and other vaccines in the pipeline, I'm sure a number of the most effective 'cocktails' will be developed - even if I can't have it with an umbrella! 🍹😉

Kind regards, 

Kim