The head of the European Union’s public health agency, Andrea Ammon, said on Wednesday that booster Covid-19 vaccines should be considered for all adults, with priority given to those over 40, a major change in the directive body.
The recommendations issued by the European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) are not binding on EU governments, but are used to decide health policy.
“Boosters should be considered for all adults, with priority given to people over the age of 40,” Amoun said in a registered statement, noting that boosters should be given at least six months after the initial vaccination schedule.
In its previous guidance, issued in September with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (EMA) said there was no urgent need to give booster vaccines to fully vaccinated individuals in the general population, but hinted that they should be taken in Consideration for people with weakened immune systems. This may be used as a precaution in older and frail individuals.
“Evidence available from Israel and the United Kingdom shows a significant increase in protection against infection and serious disease after a booster dose for all age groups in the short term,” ECDC said in a report published on Wednesday.
Officials said the European Commission should take advice on prioritizing people over 40 when proposing changes to the use of Covid-19 certificates later this week.
“Boost doses should be available for adults, with priority given to people over 40 and those at risk,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter after the CDC report was published.
