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As of today, the so-called booster vaccinations (third dose) are also provided in Suriname. This concerns the AstraZeneca vaccine, the Surinamese Ministry of Health has announced. The booster vaccination is for anyone who:
is 60 years or older;
is a kidney dialysis patient;
has a reduced resistance due to an immune disorder or medication;
and/or provide direct care to persons with COVID-19.
To be eligible for a booster vaccination, it is important that the person has had two doses of AstraZeneca and the period from the last shot is at least five months. This booster vaccination offers extra protection to people whose immune system needs extra stimulation. As a result, the immune system is better prepared for a possible COVID-19 infection and these people have the same protection as people who have received two doses.
The Ministry of Health, on the advice of NITAG (subcommittee of the Technical Advisory Committee on National Immunization Policy COVID-19), is calling on a number of groups of fully vaccinated people for an extra dose. This has already been started in various countries. In Suriname, everything is being done to make our citizens more resilient in this pandemic. The group of fully vaccinated patients who nevertheless have to be admitted after a breakthrough infection appears to consist mainly of people from the aforementioned groups.
The NITAG therefore advises to switch to the booster vaccinations, to save more lives in our country. The number of infections is still increasing daily and creates challenging social and economic situations. The aim is to normalize responsibly as quickly as possible, so that the situation that has arisen becomes operationally bearable for every citizen in our country.
The POC and the Zorghotel are open to everyone every day with extended opening hours. The locations per district are listed weekly on the Ministry’s Facebook page.
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