Macau's health officials say they are considering a third COVID-19 vaccine dose.
The possibility of the booster jab was revealed by Tai Wa Hou, a clinical director and functional head of the government's Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre, at the centre's weekly press conference yesterday.
Tai said that administering a third jab appeared to be necessary. However, he also said that the criteria and target groups for a third dose were still being analysed by the local authorities. He said that "international practice" would be Macau's point of reference in deciding on who should get a third shot, and when the booster shots should be rolled out.
According to the press conference, as of yesterday Macau had not recorded a case of local transmission of the novel coronavirus for 474 consecutive days and no imported case for 12 consecutive days.
According to official data, as of yesterday 4 p.m. a total of 440,549 COVID-19 doses had been administered, involving 266,623 people. While 91,069 vaccinees had received their first shot, 175,554 had got their second one. Macau's population stood at 682,500 at the end of the first quarter, according to the latest available official demographics.
People in Macau can choose between Sinopharm and BioNTech. COVID-19 jabs are free of charge for local residents, non-resident workers and non-local students. COVID-19 vaccinations in Macau are voluntary.
