Immunisation unit re-emphasises time frame for second dose of COVID-19 vaccine

The Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Immunisation Unit is reminding persons that the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is due eight to 12 weeks after the first dose. 

False information being circulated is misinforming members of the public that they should return for the second dose six weeks after the first. 

Co-coordinator for the National Vaccination Programme on COVID-19, Dr. Elizabeth Ferdinand, said the eight to 12-week time frame was the official policy of the Ministry. 

She added that only under special circumstances, for example, if someone had to travel, was the second vaccine administered early. Dr. Ferdinand noted that, in such cases, the earliest persons could receive the second jab was four weeks after the first one. 

She also addressed the question of combining different brands of COVID-19 vaccines. 

“At this time, we are using AstraZeneca and we are not mixing the doses. If you had the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine before, for example, you cannot have AstraZeneca as your second dose when you come here,” Dr. Ferdinand emphasised. (MR/BGIS)