In view of the series of myths that have arisen among the population of Baja California regarding the COVID-19 vaccines that have been applied in the state, Tijuana authorities consider it important to clarify them, and at the same time make the public aware of the importance of the application of the drug, a process that began in the city last March 26th.

The Municipal Health Directorate (DMS) explains that all vaccines against COVID-19, which have arrived in the country and the city, are endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and are safe and effective, as they have been subjected to rigorous testing throughout phases and clinical trials by scientific experts.

The immunizations that have been applied, with the authorization of the State Secretariat of Health, are Coronavac, from the Chinese laboratory Sinovac; BNT162b2 or Pfizer/BioNTech, of American origin and AstraZeneca: AZD1222; all three have a double application.

The Secretary of Health of the State, Alonso Perez Rico, insisted the population to go to the same place where the first dose of the vaccine was applied, after emphasizing that the vaccine distributed in all the vaccination posts is not the same and it is necessary to guarantee its effectiveness, while informing that between Saturday and Tuesday, more than 100 thousand doses of vaccines will arrive for Tijuana and Rosarito.

According to scientific data, any of the three doses has the same possibility of generating some reaction, from mild to moderate in each patient, although they can be common secondary reactions and resolved in 48 hours spontaneously with paracetamol type analgesics.

Reactions can be local, such as pain at the site of application, or systemic, such as headache, fatigue, muscle pain, fever, diarrhea or chills, although they do not occur in all patients and it is important to emphasize that they do not represent a major risk.

In view of the myths and realities faced by citizens, such as the application of some vaccines that have existed for years and the campaigns that have arisen from some anti-vaccine activists, the Municipal Health Department warns that there may be some reactions in vaccinated people, therefore it is important to observe them after the inoculation.

The health agency emphasizes that the three vaccines are administered on two occasions with different waiting periods. The Sinovac, applicable with an interval of four weeks after the first dose, has an efficacy of 91.25 percent; it can generate local reactions and can cause pain at the site of application, rash, redness or hardening.

The Pfizer/BioNTech, has a waiting time between the first and second dose of 21 to 42 days with an efficacy of 95 percent; it can cause pain at the application site as well as fatigue and the AstraZeneca, with an interval of 56 to 84 days, with an efficacy of 63.09 percent after the second application with the same side reactions as the previous ones.

According to the WHO, one of the challenges is to guarantee the quality and safety of vaccines from the development stages, which include clinical studies, production, quality control, distribution and use, complex tests and additional procedures.

Similarly, the public should know that prior to the distribution of the dose, the UN monitors the characterization of raw materials through audits of suppliers, cell banks, seed lot systems, compliance with the principles of good manufacturing practices.

In addition, batch-to-batch release by fully functional national regulatory authorities, demonstration of production consistency, pre- and post-marketing and potential adverse events following the use of these vaccines are also monitored.

Therefore, the DMS insists on the application of the vaccine to the elderly and the rest of the population to follow the national vaccination plan, as well as to respect the necessary care to avoid the spread of coronavirus, as well as adverse reactions that could occur by not abiding by the medical recommendations following the vaccination.

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