Don't wait for the Omikron vaccine: STIKO wants to recommend a fourth vaccination from the age of 60

So far, the STIKO only advises people over the age of 70 and risk groups to have a fourth vaccination.

Don't wait for the Omikron vaccine: STIKO wants to recommend a fourth vaccination from the age of 60

So far, the STIKO only advises people over the age of 70 and risk groups to have a fourth vaccination. According to a report, the age recommendation is now to be reduced by ten years. The experts do not believe in postponing vaccination until adapted vaccines are available.

According to a media report, the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) wants to recommend a fourth vaccination against the corona virus to all people between the ages of 60 and 69. According to a draft reported by the "Bild" newspaper, the booster vaccination may only be carried out if the last vaccination or an infection was at least six months ago. Only in "justified individual cases" may the interval "be reduced to four months," the paper quoted from the decision paper.

The STIKO therefore does not want to make a recommendation for a fourth vaccination for younger and healthy people. "According to the current state of knowledge," these people would "not significantly" benefit from a fourth vaccination, it said. Only people over the age of five "with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 courses as a result of an underlying disease" should also receive a fourth vaccination. Examples include diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

A corresponding vaccination campaign should "be started from mid-September", according to the recommendation, "in order to achieve optimal protection in the coming autumn or winter". According to the report, STIKO expressly opposes waiting for an Omicron vaccine and postponing vaccination with the old vaccine instead. “As soon as variant-adapted vaccines are approved and available, the STIKO will process the evidence and adjust its recommendation if necessary,” it continues.

Last week, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called for clear recommendations for all age groups with a view to the fourth vaccination: "We shouldn't just say what the over 70s should do. We also have to have an answer for the 40-year-old," he said SPD politician explains. The younger ones also wanted to know what to do. "We now need clear recommendations for all age groups."

The question is whether a 40-year-old should not be vaccinated under any circumstances, or only in exceptional cases, for example if there are many contacts at work, or only if the family doctor recommends it. "You need a message for every age. At the latest when the new vaccines are available, there should also be clear messages for those under 60," Lauterbach demanded. So far, the STIKO only recommends the fourth vaccination for people aged 70 and over and risk groups.