Coronavirus

Dominican Republic to administer third Covid-19 vaccine shots

Dominican Republic third shots
Rollout in Santo Domingo. Photo: ElVillasmil024/Shutterstock

The Dominican government confirmed this week that doctors and health staff will be vaccinated for a third time, going against Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommendations. The organization believes that nations must first see out their regular vaccination programs before thinking about the need to give out booster shots. 

However, President Luis Abinader said extra doses will increase immunization levels and the matter is already an “international consensus” in the fight against the virus. Once medical professionals receive their booster shots, third doses will be offered to the general population. To the west of the Dominican Republic, Cuba is following a similar strategy using its domestically made vaccines. 

More than 26 percent of the Dominican population has received two shots of coronavirus vaccine, the highest rate in Central America and the Caribbean.