Vaccinations with the updated monovalent HBV.1.5 vaccine against covid-19 for ages 12 years and older have begun. Citizens can book their appointment in the same ways as before: through the emvolio.gov.gr platform and through pharmacies. In addition, citizens who have already scheduled an appointment with the old vaccine will receive an informative SMS to reschedule with the new vaccine.

Our country has procured 1.6 million doses of vaccine.

The National Immunization Committee recommends for the period 2023/24, the vaccination against COVID-19 with the updated vaccine, of those individuals who are at increased risk for severe disease due to age, underlying disease or condition, namely:

  • People aged 60 and over
  • People aged 6 months to 59 years with underlying diseases and conditions that increase the risk of severe disease
  • Immunosuppressed people
  • Pregnant women
  • Health professionals

It is noted that, apart from the groups for which vaccination against Covid-19 is recommended with the updated vaccine, any citizen who wishes to be vaccinated can. Thus, there are Commission recommendations for risk groups, but all citizens are potentially beneficiaries. So, even healthy people under the age of 60 can be vaccinated if they choose.

The minimum recommended interval since previous vaccination or illness for vaccination with the updated monovalent vaccine for the period 2023-2024 is at least 3 months.

It should be noted that the availability of effective (currently) antiviral treatment for COVID-19 is not a substitute for the benefits of vaccination.

For children 6 months to 11 years: the vaccination start date is Monday 23 October.

About vaccination rules for the general population

  • For children 6 months to 4 years: those who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. Unvaccinated children are eligible and will be vaccinated with 3 doses of the new vaccine. In addition, those who have not completed their original vaccination regimen (eg only had the 1st dose and are waiting for the 2nd) with the old vaccine, must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.
  • For children aged 5 to 11 years: children who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. Unvaccinated children are eligible to be vaccinated with 1 dose of the new vaccine. In addition, those who have not completed their original vaccination regimen (eg only had the 1st dose and are waiting for the 2nd) with the old vaccine, must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.
  • For citizens 12 years of age and older: citizens who have completed their basic vaccination regimen are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. Unvaccinated citizens are eligible to be vaccinated with 1 dose of the new vaccine. Finally, citizens who have not completed their initial vaccination regimen (have only had the 1st dose and are waiting for the 2nd) with the old vaccine, must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.

About vaccination rules for vulnerable groups (immunosuppressed)

  • For children 6 months to 4 years: those who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. These people may be given additional doses of an updated vaccine.

According to the judgment of the attending physician (3 months also after the last vaccination). Unvaccinated children are eligible and should be vaccinated with 3 doses of the new vaccine. Children who have not completed their initial vaccination schedule (eg only had the 1st dose and are waiting for the 2nd) with the old vaccine should complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.

  • For children aged 5 to 11 years: children who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. These individuals may be given additional doses of updated vaccine at the discretion of the attending physician (also 3 months after the last vaccination). Unvaccinated children are eligible and should be vaccinated with 3 doses of the new vaccine. Those who have not completed their original vaccination regimen (eg have only had the 1st dose and are waiting for the 2nd) with the old vaccine, must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.
  • For citizens 12 years of age and older: citizens who have completed their basic vaccination regimen are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. These individuals may be given additional doses of updated vaccine at the discretion of the attending physician (also 3 months after the last vaccination). Unvaccinated citizens are eligible and should be vaccinated with 3 doses of the new vaccine. Citizens who have not completed their initial vaccination regimen (have only had the 1st dose and are waiting for the 2nd) with the old vaccine, must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.

Further information

Home vaccinations will continue as normal, with the new updated vaccine.

The updated coronavirus vaccine can even be given on the same day as the flu shot – but at different anatomical sites – as well as any other day before and after the flu shot.

The completion of the initial vaccination regimen (for incompletely vaccinated citizens who had, for example, the first dose of vaccination) will be done with the new vaccine. The time that must elapse from the 1st vaccination is the same as that prescribed with the previous vaccine (8 weeks).

Regarding the disease, the Commission’s recommendation is to carry out the vaccination 3 months later.