The National Vaccination Panel (NIG) has updated its application recommendations for Covid-19 vaccinations. According to the experts, people who have been vaccinated three times and who are also infected with omicron show a good booster response to the different mutations of the omicron variant – the immune system remembers the virus better when they come into contact again. Especially people under the age of 60 can postpone the refresher course for the time being under such circumstances.
No improvement in immune protection from the booster is expected for this group for up to six months after infection, “and the fourth vaccination can therefore be postponed accordingly,” according to the NIG. However, respiratory infections do not confer lasting immunity. People from the age of five therefore need a basic vaccination course consisting of three vaccinations, “regardless of previous infections”, the experts continue to emphasize.
Biting too early can lead to more vaccine reactions
“Vaccination despite a previous infection will not hurt, but if the recommended interval is not reached, the booster response may be limited and lead to increased vaccination responses in individual cases,” it was stated. Mild infections that have not cleared up or remain asymptomatic can be ignored and vaccinations can be carried out on the scheduled schedule. According to these recommendations, people with a PCR-confirmed infection should be vaccinated before the 1st or in the period between the 1st and 2nd vaccination from about four weeks after recovery (confirmed by a negative PCR test).
According to the Vaccination Committee, the following applies to people with a PCR-confirmed infection after two or more vaccinations: In the event of an asymptomatic course, vaccination according to the schedule is possible, but can also be postponed for up to six months. . Especially people under the age of 60 can wait up to six months after an infection with symptoms. In the elderly and at risk – in this case regardless of age – the vaccination can also be given after recovery before six months have been reached.
In general, some temporal variability in the vaccination schedule for Covid-19 is okay, but intervals of significantly less than four months for the 3rd and especially for further vaccinations should be avoided. If the recommended intervals are clearly exceeded after the primary vaccination course, the vaccination protection decreases, but the booster capacity remains, according to the NIG.
Refresher course “recommended for everyone”
Three vaccines adapted to the Omikron variants have now been approved for use from the age of twelve. Some are already available in Austria. The booster vaccinations can in principle be carried out from the age of twelve and are still “recommended for anyone who wants to protect themselves”. The NIG recommends the 4th stitch, especially from the age of 60, high-risk people including pregnant women and people who have professional contact with people.
Vaccine choice plays only a minor role
The same or a different vaccine can be used as for the primary immunization. The modified mRNA vaccines are preferred because they have been approved by the European authorities as the 4th vaccination. However, the previously used vaccines can also be used, but then “off-label”.
According to data from AGES, 4018 vaccinations were carried out on Saturday, of which 3297 were boosters. More than 5.3 million people in Austria – 58.8 percent of the population – have been validly vaccinated according to the recommendations of the NIG, 603,512 people have had “boosters” so far.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
