"If we only consider Moderna and Pfizer, we expect the last group of 18-45 to receive their first dose by August," says infection control director Geir Bukholm at FHI
This is because Pfizer provides more of the vaccine than expected.
After Johnson & Johnson stopped in Europe, the FHI calculated the delay could be seven weeks with the addition of AstraZeneca vaccine, which is also not considered. With new Pfizer offerings, it's now more of a matter of a few weeks.
- When will people over 45 be vaccinated, if we expect to use only Pfizer and Moderna products?
- In the current scenario, they will be vaccinated in mid-June - says Bukholm.
In total, we will receive 4,7 to 5,3 million doses of Pfizer over the next four months:
- May: 1,1 million doses
- June: 1,2 million doses
- July: 1,2-1,5 million doses
- August: 1,2-1,5 million doses
The Pfizer vaccine also has better protection against the spread of infection than vector vaccines such as AstraZeneca. Data from Israel and the US show that Pfizer and Moderna protect 90% from further infection.
- Can we trust these numbers?
- We hope we can trust. Pfizer's shipments have been very stable in recent weeks, and as there have been deviations with other vaccines, we have been notified of more doses and earlier deliveries than agreed, says the director of Infection Control.
The FHI is also considering whether to extend the interval between the first and second doses. Also for Pfizer and Moderna products, from six to 12 weeks.
- We are researching it, and we will probably be doing it at least in the 18-45 age group. Then we will consider this for other groups as well.
