THL for booster vaccine dose for 65+, risk groups in autumn

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommended a coronavirus vaccine booster this autumn for all those aged 65 or over, those aged 18 or over in medical risk groups and those aged 12 or over with severe immunodeficiency, said THL in a press release on Monday.

As an exception, a booster dose may also be given to other persons aged 18 or over for special reasons on the basis of individual consideration and risk assessment, for example due to a work posting or requirements of a destination country.

The booster vaccine can be taken in the coming autumn after at least three months have passed since one’s previous vaccination or having the disease.

The authority, however, did not recommend to take the vaccine in September, but rather later in the autumn, at the same time with an influenza vaccine.

For booster vaccine target groups, it no longer matters how many vaccines the person has received or how many times they may have had the coronavirus disease.

“This is a targeted booster vaccination to maintain protection against the severe disease and death and possibly expand the immunological foundation of protection,” said Hanna Nohynek, Chief Physician at THL.

THL's recommendation is based on a joint assessment by the National Advisory Committee on Vaccines (KRAR) and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. 

For the healthy population under 65 years of age, vaccine protection against the severe disease will remain effective for a long time

THL's previous recommendations on the basic series and boosters of coronavirus vaccines are still valid.

“As previously recommended, the series of vaccinations offered to healthy people aged 18-59 is three doses. For those aged 60-64, the recommendation is four doses in accordance with the July recommendation. In other words, the new booster recommendation this autumn only applies to those aged 65 or over and medical risk groups,” Hanna Nohynek said.

The slowly decreasing protection against the severe form of disease should be enhanced among risk groups. The oldest and most vulnerable age groups have received their latest booster dose in the spring, so 5-7 months will have passed this autumn since their previous vaccine dose.

Vaccine doses previously recommended for healthy people under 65 years of age still provide excellent protection against the severe disease. Among this population group, there is also a lot of protection due to coronavirus infections.

"According to studies, in healthy adults of working age, at least two doses of the vaccine and already having the disease or three doses of the vaccine provide protection against the severe disease for at least nine months. The protection will remain at almost the same level during this period as after vaccination. Even after nine months, there is still a significant level of protection,” said Hanna Nohynek.