Do you want to get rid of your new vaccine doses, Herr Rauch? As reported, the demand for vaccine doses in Austria is currently rather low and experts currently see no need for a fourth stitch. But for a third stitch – even for the youngest, i.e. children between five and 12 years of age. And they are not the only ones who should pick up the “booster” – even those who have already been vaccinated twice and have recovered are recommended to take the third Jaukerl. If that sounds new to you, this is the very latest recommendation from the National Vaccination Panel (NIG).
This has now spoken out in favor of a booster vaccination against Covid-19 from the age of five. “In children aged five to eleven years, this third vaccination should be given at the latest at the start of school before the next waves of infection are expected in late summer/autumn 2022,” says the new application recommendation. A third vaccination is recommended from six months after the second vaccination, the Ministry of Health emphasized on Monday afternoon.
The doctors also state that you need a total of three vaccinations for the best possible and long-term protection – even if you have already been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Scientific data show that immunocompetent people need a total of three vaccinations for the best possible and long-term vaccination protection. From an immunological point of view, these three vaccinations are to be regarded as basic immunization, i.e. not just as a booster.
Past infections with SARS-CoV-2 only lead to a postponement of these vaccinations and to an improved immunity situation, but in no way replace individual vaccinations. An infection therefore only affects the recommended time for the next vaccination, it was emphasized. The NIG justifies this by saying that respiratory infections do not leave any permanent systemic immunity. “Recovered from the age of five are recommended a total of three vaccinations for the basic immunization,” says the updated application recommendation.
