It is not urgent to give fully vaccinated people in general another booster against corona, says the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Extra doses should already be considered for people with severely weakened immune systems. The EMA relies on a technical report issued by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
All approved vaccines currently protect very well against serious illness, admission and death from corona, EMA says again. But about one in three adults is not yet fully vaccinated, the organization warns.
The priority should therefore be given to the complete vaccination of everyone, says EMA. In the meantime, according to the agency, it remains crucial to continue to apply distance, hygiene rules and face masks where necessary, especially in places where people are more at risk.
Extra dose
Some studies show that an extra vaccine dose can improve the immune response in organ transplant recipients, for example. Consideration could also be given to administering an extra dose as a precaution to elderly vulnerable persons, especially those in long-term care facilities.
The EMA is still reviewing the data on additional doses. In the meantime, Member States can make preparations for the administration of boosters.
