MOH recommends fourth COVID-19 booster jab

Ministry of Health announced the COVID-19 booster vaccination will be given free for the fourth time this week. Individuals aged 18 and older are recommended to receive a fourth booster dose after six months of the previous booster (third dose) and to contact relevant health centres, according to the Ministry of Health.
Booster doses will support the prevention of COVID-19 infection, protect against Omicron variants and can reduce the risk of severe illness and mortality by seven times, the ministry stated.
A total of 36.5 million people have received the COVID-19 vaccine and booster jabs in Myanmar. Omicron BA.4, BA.5, BA.2.75 and BA.2.76 were found both in foreign arrivals and domestic transmission in Myanmar.
“COVID-19 two-time full vaccination plus a booster should be mandatory. The spread is faster because of the rainy season. Currently, as there is no notification from the Ministry of Health that people do not need to wear face masks almost all wear no masks. That’s why the spread must be faster. That’s why vaccination should be mandatory. It can reduce the spread, severe illness and mortality from COVID-19,” a health worker told the GNLM.
According to the Ministry of Health, a national total tally of 32 new cases was reported as of 19 August and out of it, 13 were imported and 19 were cases of domestic transmission. —TWA/ GNLM