The Ministry of Health has called on citizens and residents, especially the groups most vulnerable to infection with COVID-19 and its complications, to get XBB 1.5, the latest Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster shot developed against COVID-19 and its new variants.
Dr. Basma Al-Saffar, Head of the Disease Control Department at the Health Ministry, said that the Pfizer XBB 1.5 vaccine is currently available in two different types, one for adults aged 12 years and above, and the other for children aged between five to 11 years.
She indicated that the initial dose of the Pfizer vaccine is recommended for individuals who have not received any COVID-19 vaccine previously.
She urged individuals aged 12 years and above to take the booster doses, according to the recommended time period after receiving the last dose of the vaccine, with the aim of strengthening their immunity against the virus, its variants, and related complications.
Dr. Al-Saffar said that the groups that are prone to infection with the Coronavirus and its complications are those aged 50 years and over, in addition to those suffering from chronic diseases, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, kidney and liver diseases, and blood diseases, in addition to metabolic diseases including diabetes and neurological diseases.
She added that those suffering from obesity, have immune deficiencies, pregnant women, and health workers are also more susceptible to infection with the virus and its complications.
Dr. Al Saffar called on those wishing to get the Pfizer XBB 1.5 vaccine to head to primary healthcare centres that provide it, or visit www.healthalert.gov.bh to get the latest health updates.
BNA(R)
