HPA to administer fourth dose of Covid vaccine

Health Protection Agency (HPA) on Wednesday announced administering a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

In an announcement made by the agency, it noted that this new booster dose was especially for those over 65 years of age and high-risk individuals that completed all previous doses of the vaccine.

Moreover, HPA noted that the fourth dose will be administered after at least four months from the third dose.

Those categorized under 18 – 65 with a more vulnerable immune system include individuals that have undergone an organ transplant or are on immunosuppressants (including Methotrexate, Leflunomide, Mycophenolate, Tacrolimus, Cyclophosphamide, Cyclosporine, Azathioprine and Biologics such as Rituximab, Tocilizumab, Infliximab, Tofacitinib).

Others eligible for booster shots are:

• Individuals on long-term steroids (10 mg or higher for over one month)
• Dialysis patients
• Cancer patients on treatment or who have been on treatment less than one year ago
• Individuals who are obese (BMI of 40 or more)
• Individuals taking or recommended oxygen therapy at home by a doctor due to pulmonary disease
• Individuals with pulmonary diseases such as COPS, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, or interstitial lung disease
• Individuals with liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis
• Diabetes patients with organ damage
• Individuals who are bedridden due to old age or disease

The new dose will be administered through appointments from Thursday, June 23 onwards.

In addition to this, HPA also announced the commencement of the third dose for children between 12 to 17 years of age. This dose will only be eligible if at least six months have passed since administering the second dose.

Currently, vaccination in the greater Male2’ region is open in Hulhumale Hospital from Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 01:00 Pm till 15:00 PM.

However, from Sunday, June 26 onwards, vaccination will be available from Dharumavantha Hospital and Dhamanaveshi in Male’.

Vaccination hours for Dharumavantha are Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 AM till 12:00 PM and for Dhamanaveshi are every apart from public holidays from 13:00 PM till 15:00 PM.