Pfizer Vaccine Interval Extended from Three to Eight Weeks

Health authorities in Hong Kong have extended the interval between first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine from three to eight weeks based on increasing a better immune response and lowering the risk of myocarditis.

Starting from June 22, people aged 18 to 59 can book an appointment eight weeks after they have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on the government’s COVID-19 vaccination booking system.

The new arrangement is only applicable to people aged 18 to 59 set to receive their second dose. The recommendations on the time for receiving vaccination for those from other age groups and recovered people remain unchanged.

“The recommendation of extending the interval between the first and second doses of the BioNTech vaccine for people aged 18 to 59 years was given today by the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging & Zoonotic Diseases, joined by the Chief Executive’s expert advisory panel after a meeting yesterday,” a spokesperson said.