In line with medical research, the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus (COVID-19) highlighted the importance of taking a booster dose within a maximum of six months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

Data from a study showed a decrease in the effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the month following the second dose from 88% to 74%, while the effectiveness of the Covishield-AstraZeneca vaccine decreased from 77% to 67% after four to five months after taking the second dose. The study was based on data from more than* one* million individuals who received these vaccines. The study by Britain’s ZOE COVID also showed that the protection provided by vaccines for the elderly and healthcare workers may drop to less than 50% by winter.

The Taskforce noted that a booster dose can increase efficacy levels and enhance the body’s immunity against COVID-19 and its variants, as well as reducing severity of symptoms and mortality rates in case of infection.  

Those who meet the required criteria are encouraged to register for a booster dose by visiting the Ministry of Health’s website, healthalert.gov.bh, or via the “BeAware” application.