The Swiss drug authority Swissmedic gives the green light: With immediate effect, the booster vaccination against Covid-19 with the vaccines from Pfizer / Biontech and Moderna is also officially approved in this country. In a first step, however, only for particularly vulnerable people.
The Federal Commission for Vaccination Issues (Ekif) has adjusted its recommendations for corona vaccination based on this decision. What does this mean for senior citizens and other people at risk of corona? Blick provides an overview of what is known so far.
When will the booster vaccinations start in Switzerland?
In the week of November 15, the first booster vaccinations are to be administered, according to the plan of the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). That is immediately after the national vaccination week. It is planned that you can register from November 4th. However, details will be determined by the federal government and the cantons in the next few days.
Who will receive a booster vaccination?
The third vaccination dose is recommended for two target groups for the time being: people with a severely weakened immune system due to medication or illness and all people over 65 years of age who have had the second vaccination more than six months ago. Because according to the BAG, individual studies indicate that the vaccination protection in older people can decrease somewhat after this time. The vaccination is especially recommended for people over 75 and people over 65 who are particularly at risk due to a previous illness.
Some people with a weak immune system have already received a third dose of vaccine. With them, a third vaccination does not serve as a booster, but is necessary for the basic immunization, as the therapeutic products authority Swissmedic emphasizes.
I’m only 50, but I have high blood pressure. Can I also get a booster vaccination?
Yes. Vaccination for people over 65 is a recommendation. However, the booster vaccination is permitted for all particularly endangered people over the age of 12. The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor to find out whether a booster vaccination makes sense.
However, the FOPH states that there is currently no evidence that protection against serious illness has decreased in people under 65 who are vaccinated with Pfizer / Biontech or Moderna – whether they are at risk or not. It should also be borne in mind that there are currently no data on the tolerability of the booster vaccination in younger people. It is also not yet known to what extent the third vaccination not only protects against severe infections, but also against mild illness and transmission. The vaccination recommendations will be adjusted as more data become available.
What about the health workers?
There is currently no recommendation for a third vaccination for hospital and home workers. According to the federal government, they are also currently adequately protected with two doses of vaccine. But if a nurse wants to be vaccinated a third time, she can do that. The FOPH cites as an example, where a risk-benefit analysis in favor of the vaccination could fail, the staff of intensive care units or nurses in old people’s homes.
What exactly will I get injected the third time?
The booster vaccine is the same as the first two vaccinations. However, only half the dose of the Moderna vaccine is administered.
What side effects are to be expected?
According to the drug authority Swissmedic, the side effects of the booster vaccination are very similar to those of the first and second vaccinations. For example, you might experience pain or swelling at the injection site, headache, fatigue, or fever.
What do I have to do now to receive a booster vaccination?
The cantons now have to organize themselves, which is why this question cannot be answered at this point in time. The population should be informed in the next few days. It is already clear, however, that the residents of old people’s and nursing homes should be the first in line.
Does the third vaccination have to be with the same vaccine as the first and second?
That is recommended. But if that is not possible, the other mRNA vaccine can also be used. If someone received two different vaccines the first two times they were vaccinated, it doesn’t matter which one they are vaccinated with the third time.
Will my Covid certificate be valid longer if I have the booster vaccination?
No. The Covid certificate is valid for one year from the second vaccination. Nothing will change about that for the time being. In a document to the cantons that Blick has, the BAG also says why: It is planned to extend the period of validity of the certificate. Information about the extension would be given “promptly”.