BDAR

On 6 June 2023, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) proposed to revise product information and simplify vaccination approach.

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)
Last updated: 09 10 2023