Vaccine booster shots to start in September for immunocompromised, those 60 and above

THE Ministry of Health (MOH) will commence a vaccine booster programme this month for those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, those aged 60 years and above, and residents of aged-care facilities.

At a press conference on Friday, the Covid-19 multi-ministry taskforce noted emerging data on the waning of vaccine efficacy against the virus with time.

Immunocompromised people, who have a blunted immune response to vaccination and are also at a higher risk of severe illness from the virus, are recommended to receive a third dose of the same vaccine two months after their second dose as part of their primary course of vaccination.

Seniors are also at risk of severe Covid-19 infections, and may develop a lower immune response from their two-dose vaccination regimen. This is coupled with the expected decline of their immunity over time, as this group was vaccinated earliest.

MOH recommends this group receive a booster dose six to nine months after completing their vaccination regimen.

The first batch of seniors aged 60 years and above had completed their second doses around March.This means they will be eligible for the third dose within the month of September. More details on the implementation of the booster shot will be announced later.

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These recommendations are aligned with vaccination measures adopted in other countries such as Israel and Germany, MOH said.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved a third dose for immunocompromised individuals, and is considering its recommendation for seniors.

Read more:

• Singapore remains in preparatory stage, no further loosening of Covid-19 curbs for now  
• Rapid Covid-19 self-tests must become ‘a way of life’ in Singapore: Govt taskforce