(Geneva) The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that healthy adults do not require an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccines, beyond the primary vaccination and a first booster dose, health benefits are minimal.
For this group of people under the age of 60 said to be at medium risk – to which are also added children and adolescents with comorbidities from 6 months to 17 years – there is no risk in receiving additional injections, but “returns in terms of health are low,” WHO vaccine experts said.
WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has released updated recommendations after its meeting this week in Geneva.
The new SAGE recommendations reflect the impact of Omicron and the high level of immunity now achieved in the global population due to infections and through vaccination, the WHO said.
SAGE has proposed three new priority categories for COVID-19 vaccination based on the risk of developing severe disease or death: high, medium and low.
On the other hand, older people, other adults with comorbidities, all immunocompromised people, pregnant women and front-line health workers are advised for more vaccination at a booster dose after the initial regimen of vaccination and a first booster. SAGE recommends a 6 to 12 month interval between booster doses depending on morbidity.
On the other hand, the evidence “lacks consistency” regarding the impact of anti-COVID-19 vaccines on long-term COVID-19, which sees the initial illness develop into often very disabling symptoms such as extreme fatigue or an inability to function. focus.
Nearly 13.3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered worldwide.
WHO is looking for new COVID-19 vaccines that cover a wide range of variants, have a longer lasting effect and show better performance against infection and transmission.
The organization is also investigating new methods of administering nasal, oral or dermal serums.
Discussing two nasally administered vaccines, including one used in China, SAGE administrative secretary Joachim Hombach said, “We know they are immunogenic…but what we really need is data that actually studies the impact on transmission — because that could indeed make a big difference. »