Booster shots are to become available for certain target groups, it was announced last night.

A spokeswoman for the health department said that the Bermuda Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices made the recommendation following a meeting yesterday.

Health Minister Kim Wilson said “This is great news.

“The recommended target groups for booster vaccines are persons who have immunosuppressing conditions and chronic health diseases, healthcare workers, essential workers and persons older than 50.

“Boosters will be an mRNA vaccine, such as the Pfizer, and will be given six months from the primary course of vaccination.

“The Ministry of Health is currently working out the delivery details.”

The news came after the Bermuda Hospitals Board announced that it had moved to Disaster Alert Level 4 – the highest level – as a result of the crisis.

Government also announced that a string of public services had been cancelled because of staff shortages resulting from the pandemic.