MOPH to Begin Inviting Individuals Over 50 Years of Age for Covid-19 Vaccine Booster Doses

Covid-19 booster dose

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) announced Wednesday that individuals aged 50 years and above who received their second dose more than eight months ago will now be invited for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses.

On Sept. 15, MOPH began administering Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to eligible high-risk individuals who had their second dose of the vaccine more than eight months ago. This initial eligibility criteria included people over 65 years of age; those who are immunocompromised; and those with chronic conditions which increase their risk for severe COVID-19, regardless of age.

MOPH explained that, for most people, the protective immunity obtained from their primary vaccine series gradually starts to decline after eight months although the vaccines continue to provide high levels of protection against severe COVID-19 and the booster dose will give them longer-term protection against all circulating variants of the virus.

MOPH stated that booster doses for the lower age groups and the general public will follow at a later date.

Primary Health Care Corporation is contacting eligible individuals directly to set an appointment and the MOPH urges people to receive their booster vaccine without delay to ensure they continue to be protected against COVID-19.

SOURCE: QNA