Government’s current storage of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines will expire on Monday, meaning there will be no doses available for administration for a period.

In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Health said this temporary suspension in the administration of Pfizer doses will be short term, however, as a fresh batch of vaccines is due to arrive in the country in the coming week, courtesy the US government. 

The tranche is one of two shipments of 75,000 Pfizer doses which are due to arrive in the country from the US.

Sinopharm and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be administered.

Members of the public who are 18 years of age and older, and are not pregnant, can continue to access both the Sinopharm, and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines at all designated vaccination locations, for 1^st, 2^nd and booster doses. It should be noted that any COVID-19 vaccine which has received World Health Organisation approval (Emergency Use Listing) may be used as a booster for any other approved COVID-19 vaccine.

The public is reminded that:

1. Pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimester should only receive the Pfizer- COVID-19 vaccine, at this time.

NB- Pregnant women who are in their 1st trimester are not advised to get the COVID-19 vaccine at this time.

2. Minors aged 12 to 17 should only receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

NB – Those aged 5 to 11 should only receive the approved Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for that age group, when available.

Thus COVID-19 vaccination for persons in categories 1 and 2 listed above will be suspended until the new stock of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines become available.