Antigua and Barbuda reduces the gap of taking booster dose of vaccine

Antigua and Barbuda announced changes to intervals for Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine boosters. The Health Ministry stated that the changes have become necessary since documented data and published studies have shown that the Omicron variant requires additional vaccine protection.

As per reports, the presence of the Omicron variant has been identified in Antigua and Barbuda.The COVID-19 Vaccination National Technical Working Group has recommended that the interval for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters should be changed from 6 months to 5 months after the second dose of the vaccine. At the same time, the gap for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine booster is changed from 6 months to 3 months after the second dose of the vaccine.

In addition, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine boosters for individuals who are 12 to 17 years old are also available in Antigua and Barbuda.

Authorities said that the changes are effective immediately, and the booster shots are available at the Multipurpose and Villa Polyclinics vaccination sites and some health centres.

Vaccination is also being emphasised as one of the most effective ways to combat the COVID-19 epidemic. As a result, people are encouraged to get completely immunised and booster shots using AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines, which are widely available at our vaccination centres.

"We also exhort you to follow the public health guidelines for disease prevention and control. Distancing oneself physically and socially, wearing face masks, and practising hand cleanliness and cough etiquette are all examples," said the Health Ministry.