Second Covid-19 booster jab 'strongly encouraged' for persons aged 80 and above, medically vulnerable: MOH

SINGAPORE — People above 80 years old, living in aged care facilities or who are medically vulnerable are strongly encouraged to get a second Covid-19 vaccine booster dose, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said.

They will be able to do this about five months after their first booster dose.

"This will help ensure that these at-risk groups remain highly protected as we resume normal activities," the ministry said in a press release on Thursday (March 24).

Those who are at increased risk of severe disease due to significant medical risk factors, including persons with chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and other organ systems, are considered "medically vulnerable".

Such at-risk groups are "strongly encouraged to go for the second booster to protect themselves", MOH said. 

However, the recommendation to receive a second booster dose "will not affect their vaccination status", it added.

More details about when and how these groups may receive their second booster dose will be announced later.

VACCINATION CENTRES TO BE CLOSED

As of March 22, more than 92 per cent of the population here has been vaccinated with their primary vaccinations and 71 per cent have received their booster shots.

More than 76 per cent of eligible children aged between five and 11 have taken their first dose, including 85 per cent of primary school students.

As more people are vaccinated, the number of doses administered have reduced in the past weeks, the national Covid-19 task force said.

Therefore, MOH will be stopping vaccination operations at Marine Parade Community Club (CC) on April 30, and Woodlands CC and Nee Soon East CC on May 31.

It will also be reducing the number of paediatric centres from the current 13 to two by June.

"MOH will progressively onboard selected Public Health Preparedness Clinics and polyclinics to provide paediatric vaccine doses to children who have yet to receive their primary series vaccination."