Bhutan, which has fully vaccinated almost all of its eligible population, will roll out booster shots of Covid vaccines for priority groups by the month-end, the country’s health ministry announced on Wednesday. Officials said Moderna and Pfizer would be mostly used as third shots. 

In a press release, the Ministry of Health said it would be rolling out Covid-19 vaccine booster doses from 24 December to 30 December for priority groups in health centers across the country. 

Earlier, Bhutan emerged as a rare Covid-19 success story when it quickly vaccinated almost 97 percent of its 750,000 population with double doses. Furthermore, the government’s proactive approach also helped to keep the Covid-19 in check. 

Interestingly, authorities maintained 14 days’ quarantine rule as a precautionary measure despite a successful vaccination drive. 

All people above age 65, adults above 18 years residing in high-risk areas, people with chronic medical conditions, health care workers, and outbound travelers, would be eligible for booster shots. 

The ministry said Moderna and Pfizer would be mostly used for booster doses. However, individuals who have received both doses of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine would be provided the same vaccine as booster shots. Recently, children between 12 to 18 years have been vaccinated with Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

Importantly, Bhutan had used the mixing-matching method where most people were given the first shot with Astra-Zeneca and Moderna vaccine as the second dose.(SAM)