The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends booster vaccinations after just three months due to the Omikron variant of the coronavirus!
The recommendation for a shorter vaccination interval applies immediately to adults. It aims to improve protection against severe Omikron-induced illnesses in the population and to reduce transmission of the variant.
It is expected that Omikron will dominate the infection pattern in this country "within a very short time." According to Stiko, older people and those with pre-existing conditions should be given priority for the shot due to their higher risk of COVID-19.
The two mRNA vaccines used for booster vaccination (Comirnaty from Biontech/Pfizer and Spikevax from Moderna) are "completely equivalent in terms of their effectiveness," according to Stiko. Current data indicate significantly reduced vaccination protection after primary vaccination against the Omikron variant, explains Stiko. This protection decreases significantly after three to four months. However, after a booster vaccination, the protection against symptomatic infection with the Omicron variant increases significantly.
Book your booster appointment now before Christmas