In many retirement homes, the third vaccination against Corona, often called a booster vaccination, has been inoculated for a long time. The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) did not recommend the vaccination booster for a long time, but since October the STIKO has been recommending the vaccination booster for certain population groups. We have summarized all the important information about the third corona vaccination for you.
According to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), the Corona booster vaccinations are well received: “The feedback so far shows that the interest in booster vaccinations according to the Stiko recommendation is quite high,” said a spokesman for the German press agency.
Nevertheless, health experts have criticized it. The vice-head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), Stephan Hofmeister, takes politicians to account: “It cannot be that politicians have withdrawn from the topic of booster vaccinations and no longer cares,” Hofmeister told the editorial network Germany on Wednesday . In his opinion, there are no vaccination invitations. “Targeted invitations to booster vaccinations or at least broad media campaigns are urgently needed. Those affected must be clearly and urgently called upon to get vaccinated.”
The general practitioner association is also calling for a broad campaign for so-called booster vaccinations. “With the new Stiko recommendations for booster vaccination, it is the task of politics to inform the relevant population groups through all available channels and to advertise the third vaccination so that these people can find their way to the general practitioner as soon as possible,” said the Vice-head of the association, Markus Beier, the RND.
Why the third vaccination?
Many people in Germany are already fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. All COVID-19 vaccines approved in Germany protect against serious illnesses with the coronavirus or death as a result of illness. The vaccination also protects against corona infection and thus reduces the risk of transmitting the virus.
the STIKO explains however, in addition, that “the vaccination protection declines over time, especially with regard to the prevention of asymptomatic infections and mild disease courses.” It is also said that the immune response after vaccination is “generally lower in old age and vaccination breakthroughs can more often lead to a more serious course of the disease.”
Therefore, certain population groups should refresh their vaccination protection with a third vaccination. This booster vaccination increases the formation of antibodies against the coronavirus and thus prevents a decline in immune protection.
“The supply of vaccines is sufficient overall. There are now enough vaccines available so that anyone who wants to be vaccinated can do so promptly,” said a spokesman for the KBV.
Who should get the third vaccination?
With the booster vaccination, people who have already been fully vaccinated receive an additional dose. Up until October there was no general recommendation from the Standing Vaccination Commission; it has only recommended the booster vaccination for immunocompromised people.
Since October 7th recommends the STIKO the third corona vaccination for the following people:
- People over 70 years of age
- Residents and those in care in care facilities
- Nursing staff and employees who have direct contact with the residents of outpatient, partially or fully inpatient care facilities for the elderly or for other people with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease
- Personnel in medical facilities with direct patient contact
The booster should be included no earlier than six months after completing the basic immunization take place, i.e. six months after the full vaccination protection was effective. This period of time applies regardless of which vaccine was vaccinated. The third corona vaccination is – like all other vaccinations against corona – free of charge.
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For the booster vaccination against the coronavirus, mRNA vaccines are inoculated. (Photo: Shutterstock / siam.pukkato)
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According to figures from the Robert Koch Institute, 1.5 million people in Germany had received a booster vaccination against the corona virus by Friday, October 22nd.
Which vaccine for the third vaccination?
STIKO recommends one for the booster vaccination dose mRNA vaccineregardless of which vaccine was previously vaccinated. In Germany, the vaccines from the manufacturers Biontech / Pfizer and Moderna are approved for this. If an mRNA vaccine was already vaccinated during the primary vaccination, the same vaccine should be used for the third vaccination, if possible.
Important: The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) also recommends people with the corona vaccine from Johnson & Johnson were vaccinated, one additional dose of mRNA vaccine. The booster vaccination can be given four weeks after the first vaccination.
Parallel vaccination of flu vaccination and Corona booster?
In autumn, many people – especially the elderly – get vaccinated against the flu. According to the current STIKO recommendation, both vaccinations can be carried out in parallel and even at one appointment. That was possible because of the flu vaccine Totimpfstoff may be. Important for a parallel vaccination: Both vaccines should not be injected into the same upper arm, but one vaccine should be inoculated into each arm.
You can also read about this: Influenza season and corona: who should be vaccinated against influenza?
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