Brazil‘s Ministry of Health reduced the interval between the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine doses from 12 to 8 weeks. The change had been announced in August, but the effective measure was postponed due to the delay in delivering the vaccine.

In a note, the Ministry stated that it has already sent 100% of the AstraZeneca doses necessary to complete the vaccination schedule for the entire adult Brazilian population. The Ministry also says that it will continue sending vaccines for the new stages of the immunization program in the country, which include a booster dose for seniors over 60, immunosuppressed, and health professionals.

The next vaccine shipments will also include Pfizer‘s immunizations intended to complete the vaccination schedule for Brazilians who have already taken the first dose of the vaccine.

Last week, the country reached nearly 100 million people fully immunized against COVID-19. Vaccination is identified by experts as one of the main strategies to control the pandemic.