Covid-19: Second booster only for teens with compromised immune systems

KUALA LUMPUR: A second booster shot is recommended only for moderate or severely immunocompromised teenagers aged between 12 and 17 years old, Deputy Health Minister I Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali has clarified.

"For adolescents aged 12 to 17 years old who are moderately or severely immunocompromised and their conditions confirmed by specialists at the health ministry or the private sector.

"They will also be given a third dose vaccine at an interval of at least eight weeks from the second dose," he told The Star on Wednesday (Aug 3).

The first booster shot will be administered at least three months after the third dose.

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"The second booster dose will be given at least four to six months after receiving the first booster," he said.

As for children aged between five and 11 years old who were moderately or severely immunocompromised, they will also be given a third dose vaccine at an interval of at least eight weeks after the second dose.

Their condition must also be certified by healthcare practitioners.

Dr Noor Azmi said this in response to The Star's request for clarification on whether or not the second booster will be administered to all teenagers.

He had said in the Dewan Rakyat earlier that the first booster shot administered to teenagers had been re-categorised as the third dose to complete their primer vaccination.

"This means three months after completing their third dose, they can take their first booster and after four to six months they can take the second booster," he said during the Oral Question and Answer in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Aug 3).

He said this initiative came into effect on July 18.