Photo/Illutration The vaccine developed by the U.S. drug maker Pfizer Inc. (Pool)

The government has narrowed its policy for fourth shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, saying only people at high risk of developing severe symptoms need the extra dose.

The health ministry previously urged all people 5 and older to receive their jabs.

But an expert panel on April 27 approved the ministry’s proposal to limit the range to those in the most danger of becoming seriously ill. They include: people 60 and older; those 18 and older with pre-existing conditions; and people with a body mass index of 30 or higher.

The government has been calling on the general population to receive their first to third jabs of the vaccine to curb infections and prevent severe cases.

However, the government now expects the fourth jabs will be effective only in preventing older people or those with underlying health problems from developing serious symptoms.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be used for the fourth vaccination rollout, which is set to start as early as the end of May, a health ministry official said.

People now need to wait five months after their third shot to receive the second booster. The interval between the second and the third jabs is also shortened to five months.

The third jab’s effectiveness drops to 25 to 40 percent after three to four months, studies have shown.

The government will strongly urge those 60 and older to get vaccinated a fourth time.

The health ministry is asking local governments across the nation to prepare vouchers for the fourth shots by the end of May.

Governments in other countries such as Israel, the United States, Germany and France rolled out a fourth-vaccination program for people who had received the third one at least three to six months prior.

Only people with a higher risk of developing serious symptoms, including those 50 and older, are eligible for the second booster.

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