As from next week anyone over the age of 65 can take their second Covid-19 booster shot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Chris Fearne announced on Sunday.
During a programme on One TV, Fearne said that this was being done in order to protect the most vulnerable in society.
In recent weeks it was announced that people with low immunity, residents in nursing homes, and the elderly over the age of 80 could have the second booster dose administered if they wished.
He said that “In the coming days, those over the age of 65, including those over 80 who have have not yet taken it, will be able to get the second booster shot too.”
In explaining how the vaccination is important and why a second dose would be effective, the health minister said that although the the first booster has greatly reduced the risks one might face if they caught the virus, having the second booster will bring lessen these risks even further.
“Even though we have had case numbers rising in the community and are now coming down again, ITUs have always remained with few patients. Today we have two, which means that, even if you contract Covid-19, the risk of getting a serious illness decreases. That shrinks with the booster. The second booster will keep you going,” he said.
During the programme Fearne reminded that as from Monday, the measures related to the pandemic will continue to decrease.
Mask will no longer be mandatory except in hospitals, nursing homes, Government clinics, and flights. In explaining these measured Fearne stressed that this does not mean that masks will be banned, stressing that everyone should take care of their health.
He added that the way forward in the context of the pandemic should be to hold everyone accountable.