Filenews 15 March 2022 - by Marilena Panagi
The administration of a fourth dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus to all people over 70 years of age, as well as immunocompromised people regardless of age, was decided yesterday by the National Advisory Committee on Vaccinations, after analyzing all the data recorded in recent times.
In these data, both from the epidemiological surveillance unit of infectious diseases of the Ministry of Health and from the state hospitals, there is a significant increase in the numbers of elderly, and immunocompromised people who have received all three doses of the vaccine but are infected with the virus, are admitted for hospitalization and many die. In fact, as reported by "F", the percentage of people who have received three doses of vaccine but have died since the beginning of the year to date has already exceeded 7%. The fourth dose of vaccine also involves people working in nursing homes or other closed facilities. A condition for taking it must have elapsed five months from the date of receiving the third dose of the vaccine.
Taking the fourth dose, according to the decision, will not be mandatory for SafePass purposes, since it does not affect the validity of the vaccination certificate for the purposes of entering premises or participating in activities.
The Immunization Committee also decided to administer a third dose of vaccine to adolescents aged 12-17, provided that six months have elapsed since the day the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine was received. This will not affect the validity of SafePass either. That is, children will continue to have a valid vaccination certificate, whether they receive the third dose or not. Both decisions of the Vaccination Committee will be put before the Cabinet for approval in the coming weeks and most likely the booster vaccinations will begin to be carried out in early April.
At the same time, decisions were taken yesterday afternoon and during the meeting of the Minister of Health Michalis Hadjipantelas with the members of the Advisory Scientific Committee. Specifically, as reported by "F", it was decided that the "Test to stay" program will be extended to special schools as well as to pre-primary education and kindergartens. However, it is not excluded that in both these cases the practical implementation of the program differs from the way in which the program is applied in Primary and Secondary Education in terms of the frequency of testing of children declared as contacts, as well as the type of tests used.
In addition, Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantelas is expected to put before the Council of Ministers a proposal for the lifting of the ban on school trips, as well as the lifting of the ban on the exit of the elderly from the nursing homes in which they live.
As far as the decisions of the National Immunization Committee are concerned, some of the members of the CCA during their meeting with the Minister of Health, as we are informed, expressed their opposition, even asking to be given the rationale for the decisions. Of course, these matters do not fall within the competence of the TEU.
They may see changes to SafePass
Next week it is expected that scientists and health minister will also discuss a change in the way or more correctly in the number of tests performed daily in the different groups of the population. This issue is being discussed after several scientists have found that the large number of tests does not actually serve the proper monitoring of epidemiological data and at the same time does not contribute substantially to limiting the spread of the virus in society. At the same time, according to information from "F", if the epidemiological data allow it, further relaxations in the safepass requirements may be discussed next week.
1st Recommendation:
The administration of a booster/3rd dose of vaccine to people aged 12 years and over with MRNA vaccines, provided that the period of six (6) months has elapsed since the 2nd dose was taken. It is understood that the validity of the European Digital Certificate (SafePass) is not affected in case of non-receipt of a booster dose.
2nd Recommendation:
The administration of a booster/4th dose of vaccine:
- In people over 70 years of age, provided that the period of five (5) months has elapsed since the reception of the strengthening / 3rd dose.
- In people regardless of age, provided that the period of five (5) months has elapsed since the reception of the strengthening /3rd dose:
- Residents and employees of nursing homes and other closed structures,
- To health professionals,
- In immunosuppressed individuals (see list below).
- In active therapy for solid tumours and haematological malignancies
- With a history of transplantation of solid organs receiving immunosuppressive therapy
- With a history of transplantation of primordial haematopoietic organs receiving immunosuppressive therapy
- People with hereditary immunodeficiency
- People with HIV Infection/AIDS
- People on immunosuppressive therapy including biological agents
- With regard to cortisone intake, it concerns people who have received or are receiving a total dose of ›10 mg prednisone/day (=8 mg methylpregnisolone) for one (1) month in the last six months.
- With renal failure undergoing haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
It is understood that the validity of the European Digital Certificate (SafePass) is not affected in case of non-receipt of a reinforcing / 4th dose.
