BAHRAIN has reduced the minimum gap for Covid-19 booster shots from six to three months following the emergence of a new and more infectious variant.
However, people aged above 40 who have taken the Sinopharm vaccine and with comorbidities (obesity, immunodeficiencies or chronic diseases) can take the booster just a month after the second shot.
Senior members of the National Taskforce to Combat Covid-19 announced the change in vaccine protocol during a Press conference yesterday. “Following the approval of the Government Executive Committee and based on the latest developments, it has been decided to update booster protocol for the vaccinated and the recovered,” said Health Ministry Under-Secretary Dr Waleed Al Manea.
According to the new protocol which came into effect yesterday:
- People aged 18 to 39 who opted for Sinopharm can receive the same vaccine, or Pfizer-BioNTech booster, three months after their second jab.
- However, Sinopharm takers aged above 40 – and those under 40 with comorbidities – can receive either Sinopharm or Pfizer booster one month after their second dose.
- Those aged above 18 who have received the Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca-Covishield or Sputnik can take a booster of the same vaccine or Pfizer three months after their second dose.
- Covid-recovered will be eligible for booster six months after the infection – instead of the earlier one year. They also need to complete the required period after the second dose. (Booster dose to be decided in accordance with the type of vaccination received).
Dr Al Manea was speaking remotely from the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research, Riffa. Taskforce Monitoring Committee head Lieutenant Colonel Dr Manaf Al Qahtani and senior taskforce member and Salmaniya Medical Complex Infectious and Internal Diseases consultant Dr Jameela Salman were also present.
Dr Al Qahtani further explained that the green shield on the BeAware mobile application would turn yellow for those eligible, with immediate effect. The decision has been taken based on local studies since May 2020, which analysed data of those who took booster doses of all types.
He said reducing the vaccination gap was important “as a proactive measure” to enhance immunity, especially against Omicron.
Citizens and residents eligible for booster will be alerted through the BeAware application.
“The colour of the logo on the BeAware app will automatically change to yellow, starting December 1 and will go back to green after the person takes the booster dose,” Dr Al Qahtani said, adding that people can visit any health centre without prior appointment.
Variant
Saudi Arabia yesterday announced that it had detected a case of the Covid-19 Omicron variant in a citizen coming from a North African country.
Dr Al Qahtani said variants will continue to emerge until a majority of the world’s population is vaccinated.
“Viruses and variants are not related to any country or race, it’s rather about human behaviour,” he said. “We are the reason for variants, and it will continue until a majority of the global population have access to vaccines.”
The medic stressed the importance of the third jab in boosting immunity.
“Studies reveal that it’s important to reduce the gap between the second jab and the third so that more people can benefit from boosters. It’s a precautionary step to combat variants.”
He assured that Bahrain, so far, has sufficient vaccines for its people and that a fourth jab was not needed at the moment.
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