As per the World Health Organization (WHO), a booster dose for COVID-19 is recommended for fully vaccinated population that has completed its first round of COVID-19 vaccination. This is because research has shown that with time, immunity against the virus falls below a certain rate. Hence, the purpose behind administration of booster dose is to restore the effectiveness of the vaccine already taken.
In this article, we will discuss different booster dose options available in Pakistan and the process for receiving them.
Eligibility for COVID-19 Booster Dose
The Government of Pakistan is providing a free booster dose to individuals who have completed their first round of vaccination 6 months ago. This includes individuals who have either received both doses of a two-dose vaccine or a single dose of a single dose vaccine, and it has been 6 months since their final dose. The eligibility criteria for a COVID-19 booster dose includes:
- Citizens who are above the age of 18 years.
- Individuals who are immunocompromised i.e., they have low immunity due to certain health conditions.
- Healthcare or frontline workers.
- Individuals who are traveling abroad and require a certain type of vaccine to enter their host country. Such individuals can get one or two shots with the gap of 21-28 days depending on their requirement.
Vaccine Types Available for Booster Dose
The Government of Pakistan is currently providing Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca, Sinovac-CoronaVac and Sinopharm vaccines as booster dose. You can take the same as before for your booster shot or choose a different one from the available vaccines in Pakistan.
To read in detail about each vaccine and its efficacy, you can see our article about ‘Guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccines Available in Pakistan’.
Procedure for Getting a Booster Dose
You can walk into any COVID-19 Vaccination Center (CVC) with your Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) to get a booster shot. Show your CNIC at the reception counter, fill out the form, choose the vaccine you want to take and get vaccinated.
To locate a COVID-19 Vaccination Center near you, click here.
You can read in detail about the vaccination process here.
Check your Booster Dose Entry in NIMS Database
It is important to check whether your COVID-19 booster shot details have been updated in the National Immunization Management System (NIMS) database right after you receive your booster dose. You can check it by texting your CNIC number to 1166. If it is not updated, you can request the focal person at the vaccination center to enter your data.
Note: Sometimes it takes 5-7 days for your record to get updated in NIMS. If it is taking longer than that, we recommend you call ‘Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline’ on 1166 or visit your CVC to request data entry.
Get Your Updated COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
You can get your updated COVID-19 vaccination certificate through the following methods:
- Online through the NIMS website.
- On your phone through the PAK Covid-19 Vaccination Pass application. The app is available on both Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
- From a dedicated National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) center near you. You can find the nearest location for a NADRA center from this list.
To read in detail about acquiring COVID-19 vaccination certificate in Pakistan, you can check this article, ‘How to Get COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate in Pakistan’ on our website.
Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline
If you are facing any difficulty in getting your COVID-19 vaccine booster dose or have any questions related to COVID-19 in Pakistan, you can call the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline on 1166.
Ask Bolo
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