Adults under the age of 60 in Hong Kong who are at a higher risk of catching COVID-19 and got their third dose of vaccine at least six months ago may get their fourth shot, a government medical panel proposed on Friday.
In newly published recommendations, the joint scientific committee under the Centre for Health Protection noted that a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in younger populations may provide transient additional protection against infection and symptomatic diseases.
Hence, individuals aged 18 to 59 years who are not infected and at a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure or with personal needs, such as going to study abroad, may choose to receive a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after getting their third dose, once they’ve considered the individual risks and benefits.
Individual who are considered at higher risk include healthcare workers, those working at residential care homes for the elderly or people with disabilities, and people participating in anti-pandemic work.
The committee added that this is also applicable to those who have recovered from the coronavirus in the same age group.
Experts last month recommended a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine for individuals aged 60 years or above as this group forms the majority of local fatal cases that occurred during the fifth wave of the pandemic.
