The second dose of the vaccine is allowed after a positive COVID-19 test

The Ministry of Health of Suriname announced, Tuesday, that it is offering a second dose of the vaccine to people who have received one dose instead of two doses of the vaccine in recent months after testing positive for COVID-19.

Research shows that a single dose of the vaccine within 6 months after infection with COVID-19 provides adequate protection. As in many countries, it is therefore recommended that a single dose be given to people who test positive for COVID-19 4 weeks to 6 months prior. This is especially the case in light of the uncertainty about the amount of vaccine doses available to our population.

Scientific research has now shown that an additional dose is important to provide better protection. There are now sufficient doses of the vaccine for the population of Suriname. This is why an additional dose of this group has been introduced in Suriname on the advice of NITAG (Sub-Committee of the Technical Advisory Committee on National COVID-19 Immunization Policy). Also because the second dose is now necessary for travel to different countries.

The second dose will be of the same vaccine as the first dose. Unless the patient is pregnant. In this case, a dose of Moderna or Pfizer will be given. For the second dose, you can go to the POC, Zorghotel or a place nearby where the appropriate vaccine will be given to you on that day.

You can check the latter in the weekly calendar, which you can find on the website or Facebook page of the Ministry of Health. Pre-registration is not necessary.