Experts recommend 3rd Covid-19 jabs for elderly, other high-risk groups

By The SUN

A booster shot is recommended for those aged 60 & above

An expert committee advising the Hong Kong government on its coronavirus response has recommended the use of a third dose of Covid-19 vaccines for the elderly and other groups of people at high risk of contracting the virus.

In addition, recovered Covid-19 patients who received only one dose of a vaccine are urged to consult their doctors on whether they should have a second dose, at least six months after their first jab. Previously, the experts advised only one jab for them was enough.

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The scientific committee under the Centre for Health Protection also endorsed the mixing of vaccines, and in particular, suggested that those who had two jabs of the Sinovac vaccine switch to getting the one from BioNTech for their booster shot.

Meanwhile, two additional confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported today, Oct 28, raising Hong Kong’s total tally to 12,337 confirmed cases.

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They involve a 57-year-old woman who flew in from Myanmar via Korea and was found infected on arrival, as well as a 58-year-old male air crew who came from Belgium yesterday, and had already moved to his quarantine hotel when his sample tested positive.

In a statement, the CHP said that their meeting last night, the experts reviewed the latest scientific evidence and recommendations by the World Health Organization before agreeing to recommend a third vaccine dose for high-risk individuals.

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These include those aged 60 or above, healthcare workers, workers at increased risk for Covid-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational setting (personnel participating in anti-epidemic related work; personnel providing cross-boundary transportation or working at control points and ports), and persons with chronic illnesses.

It is recommended that the third dose be administered at least six months from the second dose. BioNTech may be administered for those aged 12 and above, and Sinovac, only for those at least 18 years of age.

In addition, the experts agreed that a minimal interval of at least 14 days be observed between the administration of Covid-19 vaccine and any other vaccines, including the one for seasonal influenza.

Details of the interim recommendations are available at the CHP's website www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/24008.html. 

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