A second dose of a different vaccine should not be given. It is mandatory for patients to receive the second dose with the same specific vaccine that they have chosen to have protection.

This was stated by Mihail Okoliyski, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Bulgaria. "One vaccine cannot be given and then another, at least because there is no clinical evidence that it will be effective and a person will be protected," he said.

The expert commented that the whole discussion about the AstraZeneca vaccine was political, influenced by "other factors", because it is a vaccine that has proven its effectiveness.

The comment was in connection with yesterday's announcement by the Minister of Health that the Portuguese Presidency of the EU proposes to limit the use of AstraZeneca entirely to people under 60 years of age.

There is still no final solution, but it is not clear what happens to people who have already taken the first dose of the vaccine, to those who want to get the second dose of the same vaccine, and what will be done with those already available quantities of the vaccine. According to Kostadin Angelov, they can be withdrawn if there is no interest in them.

Okoliiski pointed out that in addition to the loss of human lives and days spent in illness, the other negative impact is on mental health.

"No one knew what the effect of the coronavirus would be on the psyche of people who suffer from it," Okoliyski said, citing a study by Oxford University and the World Health Organization, which found that one in three sufferers develops some kind of mental suffering within 6 months.

According to him, the decision should be more complex, as this is not just a problem of the health system.

It is a matter of political commitment at the highest level.

In this area, loud words should not be wasted, but serious funds should be invested, Okoliiski urged.

A legislative initiative is also needed in the next parliament to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups, he added. Regarding future immunization passports, Mikhail Okoliyski said they should not be used to deprive people of their rights./bnt