People can now receive their second dose of AstraZeneca after 8 weeks – Dr Rachel Devi

People who receive the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can now receive their second dose after 8 weeks instead of 12 weeks. Head of the Vaccination Taskforce of the Health Ministry, Doctor Rachel Devi says administering the second dose at the 8th week will not affect the effectiveness of the vaccine and will provide the same level of immunity against the Delta variant.

She says because we have a high number of community cases in Viti Levu, especially in the Lami Suva Nausori Containment Zone, it is only appropriate that they move ahead with the second dose after 8 weeks of the first dose.

She says it will provide earlier protection against severe illness, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19. The Health Ministry says individuals who have received their first dose and were scheduled to take their second dose at an interval of 12 weeks will receive a reminder via text message in the 8th week. It stresses that the second dose will be only provided at an interval of 8 weeks and not before.

You can go to your nearest vaccination site for your second dose.