The good news first: According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), there is currently no evidence that the subvariants of omicron, which are currently the most common, cause more severe disease than previous variants.
Nevertheless, a certain concern can be heard from the ECDC’s most recent analysis of the current corona situation. Because more and more older people are currently being infected with the virus again – and they become seriously ill more often. According to the ECDC, models would indicate that not only the number of cases but also the number of corona deaths should increase in the next few weeks.
“We must act now”
According to the EU authority, people over the age of 60 are particularly at risk. The ECDC and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) therefore adjusted their vaccination recommendations last week. Not only people over 80, but also 60 to 79 year olds and people with previous illnesses should now receive the second booster as quickly as possible, they advise. In countries where at least 40 percent of the population is triple vaccinated, this could significantly increase the protection against hospitalizations in this population group for the rest of the year. Calculations showed that.
“The number of infections is increasing again across the EU, and with them we are also observing an increase in severe cases, hospitalizations, intensive care occupancy and mortality,” said EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides (66). “We must act now and strengthen the measures to improve protection, also with regard to further autumn and winter waves.”
Federal government sticks to previous strategy
In Switzerland, 44 percent of the population are simply boosted. For the time being, a second booster vaccination is only available free of charge for over 80-year-olds. And the federal government has no plans to change anything.
The assessment of the situation since the most recent adjustment to the vaccination recommendation at the beginning of July has not changed, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). “The risk of a serious illness is significantly higher in people over 80 than in younger age groups, and a heavy burden on the health system is not expected,” said a spokeswoman on request. Another booster vaccination for other target groups is currently assessed as “not expedient”.
Christoph Berger (60), President of the Federal Vaccination Commission (EKIF), sees no reason to go over the books due to the adjusted EU recommendation. “Another booster vaccination for other target groups is currently not recommended,” he notes. He points out that the epidemiological situation can vary from country to country and that the recommendation must be tailored accordingly.
In neighboring countries, people vaccinate earlier
From the point of view of the EU authorities, however, the matter is clear: the earlier the over-60s start using boosters again, the better. In neighboring countries, some of them already receive a fourth spade free of charge. For example, France and Italy recommend the second booster vaccination from the age of 60, in Austria the age limit is 65. And in Germany, seniors over 70 are currently being vaccinated.