The STIKO updated its COVID-19 vaccination recommendation on April 1, 2021 .
It recommends that people under the age of 60 who have already received a 1st vaccine dose with the COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) should be given a dose of an mRNA vaccine instead of the 2nd AstraZeneca vaccine dose (heterologous vaccination schedule). This decision is based on the increased risk of thromboembolic events after AstraZeneca vaccination in people <60 years of age and a lower risk of severe COVID-19 courses in this age group.
STIKO recommends that the vaccination with the mRNA vaccine be administered every 12 weeks prior to the initial vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine. The reasons for the recommended vaccination interval are:
- Data from the pivotal studies showed that the effectiveness of the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine remained constant for 3 to 12 weeks after vaccination without deteriorating.
- It has also been shown that when vaccinating with the AstraZeneca vaccine, the protective effect increases significantly after two vaccine doses when the vaccination interval is extended from <6 weeks to 12 weeks. The fact that a longer vaccination interval also has a positive effect on the effectiveness of the heterologous vaccination scheme has not yet been formally shown, but appears plausible for immunological reasons.
Should it be necessary for logistical reasons to carry out the vaccination at a shorter vaccination interval, it is also possible to hold on to appointments that have already been agreed at shorter intervals during the transition phase.
- Recommendation
- Europe
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- AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
- COVID-19
