The National Vaccination Committee, with the appearance of the “Omicron” variant in many countries, as well as ours, in combination with the apparent change in the risk of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reviewed the recommendations for the third dose and unanimously advised on the administration of the third dose to all citizens over the age of 18, at three months after completion of the two-dose vaccination, as well as after a previous infection.
Excluded are immunocompromised individuals, where the vaccination can be given up to one month after the 2nd dose.
The panel also recommended reducing the illness certificate time to three months, as new mutations and variants of the coronavirus, such as Omicron, appear to re-infect those who have the disease to some degree.
It is reminded that from December 2, the certificate is issued exclusively after PCR diagnostic test.
In addition, from Monday, December 13, those over 60 years of age who have not taken the booster dose and are seven months old from the second dose will be considered unvaccinated (the vaccination certificate will not be valid). From 16 January, citizens over the age of 60 who have not taken any installments will be fined 100 euros each month.
For the general population, the vaccination certificate is valid for one year, but there is talk at European level of reducing the time to 9 months. That is, if the booster dose is not given within 9 months, the vaccination certificate will automatically expire throughout the European Union.
Which vaccines are given at the booster dose?
- Complete vaccination with 2 doses of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca: Vaccination is recommended at least 3 months later, with one dose of Pfizer or half dose of Moderna
- Complete vaccination with 1 dose of Johnson & Johnson: Vaccination is recommended at least 2 months later, with one dose of Pfizer, J&J or half dose of Moderna
- 1st dose with Pfizer, Moderna or Astra Zeneca vaccine: 2nd dose with J&J vaccine. The National Vaccination Committee does not recommend booster vaccination
Vaccination with booster dose & disease
Disease before vaccination: 1 dose of J&J vaccine. A booster dose of at least 3 months after a dose of Pfizer, J&J or half dose of Moderna is recommended.
Vaccination with Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca. Vaccination with a booster dose of at least 3 months after a dose of Pfizer or half a dose of Moderna is recommended.
1st dose with Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca: Disease after the first dose of vaccination. Vaccination is recommended 3 months after illness with a dose of Pfizer or Moderna (full dose) to complete the vaccination. Booster dose is recommended 3 months after the 2nd dose with 1 dose of Pfizer or Moderna half dose.
Completion of J&J vaccination: Disease after vaccination. Vaccination is recommended 3 months after illness with one dose of Pfizer, half dose of Moderna or J&J.
Completion of vaccination with 2 doses of Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca: Disease after vaccination. Vaccination is recommended 3 months after illness with a single dose of Pfizer or half a dose of Moderna.
The antibody growth time after the third dose is rapid, it is rapid, within one to three days, as the third dose elicits a secondary immune response. According to scientific data, the booster dose increases the level of neutralizing antibodies by 20 times and triples the number of memory T and B lymphocytes. According to the CDC, the third dose with the appearance of the “Omicron” variant is not a luxury. or exaggeration but an absolute necessity.
What applies to sickness certificates
The disease certificate will be valid for three months now. Disease certificates issued until 30/10/21, will expire on January 31, 2022, while those certificates issued from 1/11/21 will also expire in three months. The relevant amendment of the Ministry of Health, for the reduced validity of the disease certificate in the three months, was voted on December 9 in the Parliament. He states that the disease certificate will be valid for 90 days and those who have not yet been vaccinated for medical reasons are excluded from the provisions.
What applies to those over 60 years old
From December 13, in case someone over 60 has not taken the booster dose and has closed seven months from the second dose, it is considered as not vaccinated. Vaccination certificates for this category of citizens are no longer valid, which means that they will not have access to enclosed spaces, they will be subject to the corresponding restrictions of the vaccinated and the obligation for a rapid test.
Also, those over 60 who have not done any installment until January 16 will have an administrative fine of 100 euros each month. The law allows the Minister of Health to extend the measure to those who will be 60 years old from January 1, 2022 onwards.
Special committees will be set up, as was the case when the obligation for health professionals was introduced, in order to examine applications which justify these people not to be vaccinated for health reasons.
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