Eligibility criteria for the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine to be further relaxed from today

The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre (hereinafter referred to as “the Centre”) announces further relaxation of the eligibility criteria to book for the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Starting from today, all individuals aged 18 years or above who have completed two doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months ago and without contraindications are now eligible to book an appointment for receiving the third dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Those who have received two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months ago may also book for the third dose if they meet the following conditions: 1) Aged 60 years or above; 2) Aged 18-59 years with a weaker immune system, or 3) Aged 18-59 years susceptible to greater exposure risk or greater health consequences if infected.

People are recommended to get a vaccine that uses the same vaccine technology as the primary series for their third dose, but they can also choose among other vaccines according to their personal preference.

According to the Centre, people with a weaker immune system refer to those who have cancers, cerebrovascular diseases (e.g. stroke), obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes (type 1 and type 2), heart diseases (e.g. heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy) or chronic kidney diseases, as well as current or former smokers. People susceptible to greater exposure risk or more serious health consequences if infected include:

1. Persons working at medical or social services facilities, educational institutions, correctional institutions, or medical observation venues;
2. Other individuals who have frequent contact with patients, the elderly or people with disabilities;
3. Those who have frequent contact with persons from overseas or a large number of members of the public;
4. Persons living in collective residential settings;
5. Workers at boundary control points, epidemiological investigation personnel, cold-chain personnel;
6. Personnel of basic social services (i.e. workers in water, electricity, telecommunications, transportation, wholesale food markets or other industries);
7. Those planning to travel to places with a high incidence of COVID-19;
8. Others who are susceptible to higher exposure risk or greater health consequences if infected.

The Centre also recommends moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals to get a third dose 28 days after their second dose. They can either make a booking by themselves 6 months after their second dose or see a doctor for evaluation and vaccination arrangement within 6 months after their second dose. Moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals include those who have:

1. Been receiving active oncological treatment (e.g. chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancers);
2. Received an organ transplant and are taking medicines to suppress the immune system;
3. Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome);
4. Advanced or untreated HIV infection;
5. Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs may suppress the immune response.