HCMC plans third Covid shots starting Friday

In a draft plan regarding Covid-19 vaccination, proposed by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health to the municipal People's Committee, around 6.3 million vaccine shots would be given as third doses for those who have received two jabs.

Booster shots would be given to adults at least six months after they have received their last shots. They would be prioritized for those with underlying conditions, in long-term care at medical facilities, aged 50 and above, and those at the frontline of the Covid-19 fight.

Yet, adults who have weakened immune systems, including those undergoing cancer treatment or those with HIV, will receive their third shots at least 28 days after being fully vaccinated. Those aged 30 and above would be prioritized.

Booster shots could either be the same vaccine one receives during the normal course or one from vaccines that utilize mRNA technologies, like Pfizer or Moderna.

One exception however is the Vero Cell vaccine by Sinopharm, which could be substituted with other vaccines with mRNA or viral vector technologies (AstraZeneca).

As of Sunday, HCMC has vaccinated around 7.9 million people with at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot, while 6.8 million have been fully vaccinated.