Vaccinations with the updated monovalent vaccine XBB.1.5 against covid-19 have started for 12 years of age and older. Citizens can book their appointment in the same ways as before: through the emvolio.gov.gr platform and through pharmacies. In addition, citizens who have already scheduled an appointment with the old vaccine will receive an informative SMS for rescheduling with the new vaccine.
Our country has procured 1.6 million doses of vaccine.
The National Vaccination Committee recommends for the period 2023/24, the vaccination against COVID-19 with the updated vaccine, of those persons who are at increased risk for serious disease due to age, underlying disease or condition, namely:
o People aged 60 and over
o People aged 6 months to 59 years with underlying diseases and conditions that increase the risk of serious disease
o People with immunosuppression
o Pregnant women
o Health professionals
It is noted that, in addition to the groups for which vaccination against Covid-19 with the updated vaccine is recommended, any citizen can be vaccinated. Thus, there are Commission recommendations for risk groups, but potentially all citizens are potentially eligible. So, healthy people under the age of 60 can also be vaccinated if they choose to be vaccinated.
The minimum recommended interval from previous vaccination or infection for vaccination with the updated monovalent vaccine for the period 2023-2024 is at least 3 months.
It should be noted that the availability of effective (currently) antiviral treatment for COVID-19 does not substitute for the benefits of vaccination.
o For children 6 months to 11 years old: the vaccination start date is Monday 23 October.
On vaccination rules for the general population
o For children 6 months to 4 years old: those who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. Unvaccinated children are eligible and will be vaccinated with 3 doses of the new vaccine. In addition, those who have not completed their initial vaccination regimen (e.g., they have only had a 1st dose and are waiting for a 2nd dose) with the old vaccine must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.
o For children aged 5 years to 11 years: children who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. Unvaccinated children are eligible for 1 dose of the new vaccine. In addition, those who have not completed their initial vaccination schedule (e.g. they have only had a 1st dose and are waiting for a 2nd dose) with the old vaccine must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.
o For citizens 12 years and older: citizens who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. Unvaccinated citizens are eligible for 1 dose of the new vaccine. Finally, citizens who have not completed their initial vaccination schedule (they have only had 1 dose and are waiting for the 2nd dose) with the old vaccine, must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.
On vaccination rules for vulnerable groups (immunocompromised)
o For children 6 months to 4 years old: those who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. These individuals may be given additional doses of updated vaccine.
o At the discretion of the attending physician (also 3 months after the last vaccination). Unvaccinated children are eligible and should be vaccinated with 3 doses of the new vaccine. Children who have not completed their initial vaccination regimen (e.g., have only had 1st dose and are waiting for 2nd dose) with the old vaccine must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.
o For children aged 5 years to 11 years: children who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. These individuals may be given additional doses of updated vaccine at the discretion of the treating physician (also 3 months after the last vaccination). Unvaccinated children are eligible and should be vaccinated with 3 doses of the new vaccine. Those who have not completed their initial vaccination regimen (e.g., have only had a 1st dose and are waiting for a 2nd dose) with the old vaccine must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.
o For citizens 12 years and older: citizens who have completed their basic vaccination schedule are eligible for a single dose of the new vaccine, 3 months after their last vaccination. These individuals may be given additional doses of updated vaccine at the discretion of the treating physician (3 months also after the last vaccination). Unvaccinated individuals are eligible and will be vaccinated with 3 doses of the new vaccine. Citizens who have not completed their initial vaccination regimen (have only had 1st dose and are waiting for 2nd dose) with the old vaccine, must complete their vaccination with the new vaccine.
Additional information
o Home vaccinations will continue as usual, with the new updated vaccine.
o The updated coronavirus vaccine can even be given on the same day as the flu vaccine - but at different anatomical sites - as well as any other day before and after the flu vaccine.
o The completion of the initial vaccination scheme (for incompletely vaccinated citizens who had e.g. the first dose of vaccination) will be done with the new vaccine. The interval to be taken from the 1st vaccination is the same as that provided with the previous vaccine (8 weeks).
o Regarding the disease, the Commission's recommendation is to carry out the vaccination 3 months later.
