Covid Taskforce Issues Advice On Booster Doses

Source: Vientiane Times

People who previously had doses of the Johnson & Johnson or Sputnik Light vaccines at least two months ago can now have an AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine as their first booster dose, while people who had a first booster dose at least three months ago can now get a second booster shot.

This is the advice given by the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control concerning booster shots.

The taskforce also says that people who had two doses of the Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines at least two months ago can now have an AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine for their first booster shot, while people who had a first booster shot more than three months can now get a second booster.

In addition, people who had two doses of the Sputnik V, AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines at least two months ago can now get an AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine for their first booster shot, while those who had a first booster shot more than three months can now get a second.

The taskforce advises that the severity of infection will decrease as people gain stronger immunity to Covid with each additional dose of vaccine.

The chance of infection and death among the whole population will be reduced if everyone is vaccinated, health officials say.

For this reason, the taskforce is urging everyone to get a second booster shot, especially people in high-risk areas such as frontline health workers.

Older people and those with an existing health condition are also urged to ensure they are fully vaccinated, so that infection rates are reduced and the virus is brought under control by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation has called on every country to follow five strategic Covid control measures.

These include monitoring and diagnosing pathogens, rolling out more vaccinations, implementation of virus control measures in social settings and communities, better care of Covid patients, and ensuring widespread availability of supplies and medicines.

The overall hope is that the pandemic response will shift from an emergency response to the long-term control of respiratory infections.

Health authorities in Laos expect Covid infection rates to increase over Lao New Year next week when people gather to celebrate.