Latvia’s National Immunisation Council (IVP) recommends shortening the interval between the first and second jab of Covid-19 vaccine for children 5-11 years of age to six weeks, as confirmed by the council.
Previously the recommended interval was three months.
«Since the start of global vaccination of children 5-11 years of age, millions of children have been vaccinated. In the US alone the number reaches nearly ten million. It also helps that we have far more information about vaccine safety than we had at the moment of registration,» says IVP member, Prof. Dace Zavadska.
This is why, considering the current epidemiological situation and data on vaccine safety and experience in general, it is now possible to shorten the recommended three-month interval to six weeks.
If need be, the option of letting children receive the second jab even earlier – three weeks. This would not breach the registered vaccination plan.
«Children with suppressed immune system are still recommended to get three jabs – the first, then the second after three weeks and the third after four more weeks,» explains Zavadska.
At this week’s meeting IVP plans to review the topic of booster shots for teenagers 12 to 17 years of age. IVP’s position remains firm – the council does not recommend this. Zavadska explains that booster shots will not reduce Covid-19 transmission among teenagers. Additionally, two vaccine shots are enough to protect against severe complications.
«Currently children do not experience severe infection as they did previously. However, infection rates have increased. Even two jabs received in summer still protect against severe infection. Unfortunately, we cannot influence virus transmission with the vaccines we have now. This is why providing teenagers 12 year or older with booster shots would not benefit society at all,» says the infectologist.
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However, if a medical council decides for various reasons to recommend booster shots for teenagers, it can be done.
European Medicines Agency (EMA) has yet to approve of booster shots for teenagers 12-17 years of age. EMA plans to discuss the topic of booster shots for teenagers 16 years of age next week. If EMA approves, 16-year-olds will be able to receive booster shots in accordance with the agency’s recommendations.
Covid-19 vaccine jabs are available to residents from five years of age in Latvia.
National Immunisation Council shortens Covid-19 vaccination interval for small children
