Adults Advised to Get Second COVID-19 Booster Six Months After Third Dose

The government has advised all adults aged 18 to 59 to get their fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose six months after getting their third dose, in a bid to sustain city-wide protection against the disease.

The Chief Executive’s expert advisory panel met with representatives from the Health Department committees on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Emerging & Zoonotic Diseases on Friday (May 20) to recommend the use of the fourth jab.

The groups pointed to local data that showed three doses of the Pfizer or Sinovac vaccine prevent against severe disease and death, however, an additional second booster shot with younger people may provide additional protection against infection and disease.

“Based on the advice, uninfected individuals aged 18 to 59 who are at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure or with personal needs, such as those studying abroad or fulfilling a requirement for overseas travel, may choose to get their fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least six months from the third dose after considering the individual risk and benefit,” a government press release wrote.

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