Over 65s will receive an invitation for 4th dose soon

People aged 65 and over will “soon” begin to get invites for a second COVID-19 booster shot, according to Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne.
May 1 Fearne stated on ONE TV that the government will now provide the fourth dosage of the vaccination to all individuals aged 65 and up, after the launch of the second booster for vulnerable persons and those aged 80 and up.
“The first booster was already very effective in reducing the spread and keeping the symptoms to a minimum, and even though we experienced a rise in cases, ITU hospitalizations remained at two or three patients at a time,” Fearne said.
“The second booster will give an extra dose of protection to whoever feels they need it.

 

According to ECDC and EMA issue advice on fourth doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines dated 6 April 2022, it states,
“The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and EMA’s COVID-19 task force (ETF) have concluded that it is too early to consider using the fourth dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer’s Comirnaty and Moderna’s Spikevax) in the general population.
However, both agencies agreed that a fourth dose (or second booster) can be given to adults 80 years of age and above after reviewing data on the higher risk of severe COVID-19 in this age group and the protection provided by a fourth dose.
ECDC and EMA also noted that there is currently no clear evidence in the EU that vaccine protection against severe disease is waning substantially in adults with normal immune systems aged 60 to 79 years and thus no clear evidence to support the immediate use of a fourth dose.
Authorities will continue to monitor data to determine if there is an increased risk of severe illness among those who are vaccinated.” Read the full statement here
On 22 April the Minister of Health Chris Fearne said that local Public health, ECDC, and EMA recommended the 4th dose to all those who are 80 years of age, all those who have are immunosuppressed regardless the age, and those who are in elderly homes.

Video taken from Press conference 22/04/22

On the other hand CDC released clinical considerations and published a leaflet with all information accordingly. 

 

On April 28 ECDC has updated technical reports on the implementation of a second mRNA
COVID-19 vaccine booster dose – View report here

Regarding age groups 60-79 ECDC published the following –

Due to the fragility of the population, continued high hospitalisation and ICU rates in many settings, lower immune
response to vaccination, and the higher risk of severe COVID-19, the public health benefit of administering a second
booster dose is clearest in those aged 80 years and older. Immediate administration of a second booster dose in this
population would be optimal in situations where viral circulation remains high or is increasing. Alternatively, in
situations where viral circulation is low, administration of a second booster dose should be considered before autumn
2022.
People aged 60 to 79 years: mathematical modelling suggests that a second booster roll-out, including
immunocompetent peopled aged 60−79 years in the EU/EEA will probably be beneficial, but the best timing for
the roll-out depends on the highly uncertain future of COVID-19 incidence. Therefore continued close
epidemiological and vaccine effectiveness monitoring is essential in order to rapidly detect signals of increased
SARS-CoV-2 circulation or the risk of severe COVID-19 among vaccinated individuals. If such signals emerge, a
second booster may be considered for all or some adults between the ages of 60 and 79 years and countries
should have plans in place for a rapid deployment of booster doses in this population group.

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