Vaccination schedules
The COVID vaccination schedule has undergone substantial changes. For infants and young children, primary vaccination is required (see below). For individuals above 5 years of age, no primary vaccination is required and a single dose is sufficient.
During the autumn-winter months of 2023, vaccination will follow this procedure:
For children from 6 months to 4 years of age:
- for those unvaccinated or with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection, a primary series composed of 3 doses is indicated. The primary series needs to be administered only once.
- for children after the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines or with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection a single dose is indicated.*
For individuals above 5 years of age a single dose is indicated*, regardless of their previous COVID-19 vaccination status.
For children after the primary series and for individuals vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 should be administered at least 6 months after the last shot of COVID-19 vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine dose should be indicated at least 6 months after the day of receiving a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test or a rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result.
*Additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine may be allowed at the discretion of a doctor.
The procedure in detail:
For children from 6 months to 4 years of age:
PRIMARY SERIES (THOSE UNVACCINATED AND WITH NO HISTORY OF PAST INFECTION):
FIRST dose -> 21-day interval -> SECOND dose -> 56-day interval -> THIRD dose
FOR THOSE WITH PAST COVID-19 INFECTION:
Based on the positive result of a SARS-COV-2 PCR test or a rapid SARS-COV-2 antigen test, children from 6 months to 4 years of age will be regarded as vaccinated under the full vaccination schedule when they have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Except for extraordinary cases determined by a doctor, in which more than one dose is possible.
For all individuals 5 years and older (PREVIOUSLY VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED):
SINGLE DOSE OF THE ADAPTED COVID-19 VACCINE
should be administered at least 6 months after the day of receiving a positive result of SARS-CoV-2 PCR test or a rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test or after the latest dose of vaccine (additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine may be allowed at the discretion of a doctor).
Vaccination with the adapted COVID-19 vaccine is most recommended for the following risk groups:
- individuals 65 years and older
- with underlying conditions
- residents of social care and nursing establishments
- health care workers
- pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy)