Bahrain approves two shots of Sinopharm vaccine for children with weak immune system
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Children with weak immune systems, aged three to 11, can now be administered two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. Teenagers aged 12 to 17 may also have the same option, or opt for a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Registration for vaccination for both age groups will be announced at a later time.
The approval was announced yesterday by The National Taskforce for Combating the Coronavirus. The Vaccination Committee’s decision to safeguard public health is based on a study that reviewed COVID-19 symptoms in patients suffering from diseases that cause weak immunity, including respiratory illnesses, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, down syndrome, and birth defects and obesity.
The task force stressed the importance of ensuring eligible children receive a vaccine to safeguard public health, adding that the incubation period for the virus in this age group without symptoms extends up to four days, which may increase the spread of the virus. The vaccination registration will be available on the Ministry of Health’s website, healthalert. gov.bh, and via the “BeAware” application by selecting “Registration”.
Booster vaccination
The task force also approved the booster vaccination for people above 60 and the immunocompromised (those with weak immune systems) who have been fully vaccinated for six months with the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines.
Those who qualify for the booster dose can take the Pfizer-BioNTech or the same type of vaccine they took for their first and second doses as a booster dose.
The recommendation has been made in response to a decision issued by the Government Executive Committee following a lengthy study that confirms that the booster shots maximise individuals immunity against COVID-19, which in return lowers the risk of complications from severe illness and death.
The task force stated that starting from October 1, the vaccination status of individuals eligible for a booster shot will change on the BeAware Bahrain application from the Green Shield to the Yellow Shield until they opt to receive a booster shot.
The opening of registration for the booster dose will be announced in due course, at which time eligible individuals will be able to arrange an appointment through healthalert. gov.bh or the BeAware Bahrain application. Vaccination protocols have evolved to maximise protection against the virus; however, precautionary measures must be maintained.
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