WILLEMSTAD - According to Dr. Jerry Semper, who oversees the vaccination process, it has been asked in the past and it has been said that the health department would continue to use the Pfizer vaccine. But things change in a pandemic. The impression may have been given that Curaçao would only get the Pfizer vaccine, but that is not the case.
“The pandemic has gotten out of hand and when that became clear, our strategy changed,” says Dr. Semper. The doctor says it is no longer possible to vaccinate 1000 people a day if Curaçao wants to beat the pandemic. The Netherlands has been approached for help. “Then was asked what we needed, and we got it. Since the last press conference, it was still Pfizer who would come here. Since we want to vaccinate more on Curacao than before, the Netherlands has said that Moderna will be sent to Curacao.”
Semper says that an explanation must be given. It has been said not to send Astra Zenica to Curacao. And that vaccine will not come either. “We are saving lives with vaccination. Moderna, like Pfizer, is based on mRNA. The vaccine does the same. Semper makes the comparison with chocolate. There are different brands of chocolate, but in the end, it is all made from cocoa. The same goes for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Dr. Ashley Duits says it's important to be clear. There is scarcity worldwide and vaccinations are based on availability. Both vaccines were developed around the same time. There is a difference in protocol, but otherwise there is no difference. Moderna is 0.9 percent less effective. In general, the effectiveness of both vaccines is comparable.
There are studies comparing both vaccines. In the United States, for example, both vaccines are used. In practice, the effectiveness of both vaccines is the same and people are not infected. Also, side effects are the same. Large groups of patients have been compared and the results show no distinction, says Dr. Duits.
We are on the right track according to Duits. Many people have already been vaccinated. The doctor says that Israel is on top. Curacao is at 30 percent. “With this percentage we are higher than the Netherlands. We are fortunate to work together in the Kingdom. We have to keep accelerating.”