Vaccinologists recommend the fourth vaccination against COVID for people over 60 years of age, for immunocompromised people aged 12 years and older, or for health professionals who work with such patients.
It is also suitable for clients and workers in residential social care facilities. The recommendations were published by the Czech Vaccinological Society and the Czech Medical Society of Jan Evangelista Purkyně on their website. According to the Ministry of Health, the vaccination should be possible by mid-August.
The second booster dose is recommended to be administered at least four months after the first booster dose of the vaccine. Getting a second booster vaccine should be made available and fully covered by public health insurance for anyone who wants the vaccine. If a person has fallen ill with COVID-19, vaccinologists say it is possible to postpone the vaccination for three months.
COVID-19 vaccination data show that nearly 6.9 million people, or roughly 64 percent of the population, have received two vaccine doses. Vaccination coverage is approximately 90% in the over-65 age group, which experts believe is most at risk of severe disease.
The first booster dose is appropriate five months after the second dose and after three months for those with weakened immune systems. Weakened immunity can be congenital, caused by HIV infection or treatment given to cancer patients.
The sub-variants of omicron are most prevalent in Europe and the Czech Republic. According to experts, they are more contagious, and vaccination against the disease is less effective against infection. However, there is still significant protection for those vaccinated against the risk of death or a severe course requiring hospitalization.