The new corona vaccine is ready, the booster vaccinations against Covid-19 can start. But who should free up their arm? The most important information about the vaccine.
Why is it necessary to fight corona be vaccinated?
Above all because the Sars-CoV-2 virus is still with us and can continue to make people seriously ill. At the turn of the year, over 1,200 people with Covid-19 had to be treated in intensive care. Currently, there are not even 200 sick people. However, a significant increase must also be expected for the coming winter, when several pathogens may come into contact with each other.
Many people already have a basic immunity against corona because they have been vaccinated and have usually recovered from Covid-19 at least once. But it is precisely this “double” immunity that shows the fundamental problem: There is still no vaccine that protects against infection and not just against a serious course of the disease. This is of course particularly important. But infections continue to occur, and they particularly endanger those groups of people who already had to be particularly protected during the pandemic.
Why does the current vaccine need to be adapted?
In fact, the existing vaccines continue to protect, albeit weakened over time. The immune system does not simply forget which “antigen” it has encountered, i.e. which substance or pathogen has already mobilized the defense. The antigen that has been best known since the pandemic is the “spike” protein, which the coronavirus uses to gain access to our cells, particularly in the upper respiratory tract.
The spike protein is also the crucial component of previous Covid vaccines. But with each new virus variant, the spike also changes. And this is also reflected in the effectiveness of the vaccine. That is why it makes sense to make genetic adjustments and prepare the immune system as precisely as possible for the currently dominant virus variants. The procedure is similar to that for seasonal flu: Here, too, adjustments are made year after year so that the vaccine is as accurate as possible.
Which variant are the new vaccines targeting?
The vaccines now approved for use in practices have been optimized for the JN.1 variant. The omicron variant, known since November 2021, is constantly generating new subvariants, including those that reproduce particularly well like JN.1. And it will continue like this for the foreseeable future.
JN.1 now only plays a minor role in our country, and descendants with the abbreviations KP.2 and KP.3 and even their sub-variants dominate the infection process. However, this is all happening at a relatively low level. According to the latest data, the peak of a smaller “summer wave” has probably been overcome. And the vaccines for JN.1 also provide good protection against KP.2, KP.3 and their already active successor variants.
Are the new vaccines as safe and effective as previous ones?
The safety profiles of the vaccines have not changed compared to last year. The regulatory authorities were convinced of the additional benefit of the adapted boosters based on the data from smaller studies and then made a recommendation. This was also the case last year when the vaccines were adapted for the XBB.1.5 variant. Ultimately, the new vaccines are the old vaccines, since only the formulation for the spike protein has been changed.
It is therefore not necessary to invest the same amount of time and effort in studies every year as when these vaccines were first approved. In any case, checks will continue. This is done at national level by the Paul Ehrlich Institute, which is responsible for our country, which carries out inspections and is now gradually releasing the adapted batches that are delivered to pharmacies and practices on behalf of the federal government.
These are all “Comirnaty JN.1” from Biontech/Pfizer in three different dosages: one for adults and children from 12 years of age and two weaker doses for children from six months and from four years of age. Parallel to the German monitoring of the vaccines, monitoring is also taking place at the European level by the EMA (“European Medicines Agency”).
Who should get vaccinated now?
The recommendations are also the same as last year. Older people aged 60 and over should receive boosters, as should all patients aged six months and over with chronic illnesses and reduced resistance. Medical and nursing staff should also keep their vaccinations up to date – for their own safety, but also for the safety of other people in practices, hospitals or nursing homes.
For everyone else – provided they are healthy and have not had close contact with particularly vulnerable people – the Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) considers existing basic immunization to be sufficient. According to the Stiko, this can also be “hybrid”, i.e. consisting of a mixture of vaccinations and previous Covid-19 illnesses. In total, there should have been three contacts with the virus or, in the case of vaccination, only with the spike protein of Sars-CoV-2 in order to build up sufficient protection. And at least one vaccination should always be included.
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How long should I wait to get vaccinated after having Covid?
If basic immunity has not yet been built up – which is hardly the case these days – there should be at least three months between recovery and vaccination. Otherwise, the Stiko recommends a one-year interval for boosters. However, this can and should be discussed with a doctor and adapted to the individual’s state of health. In any case, autumn is a good time for a booster. Sars-CoV-2 can lead to waves of infection at any time of year.
However, the colder months are riskier because other seasonal pathogens also occur more frequently, including influenza viruses. According to the Stiko, there is nothing to prevent vaccination against influenza and Covid-19 at the same time. The reactions can then be a little more severe than with individual vaccinations. However, slight pain or swelling at the injection sites, possibly also headaches, a raised temperature and a general feeling of illness usually disappear after a few days at the latest.
Anyone who would prefer to receive a booster with the protein vaccine from Novavax instead of the mRNA vaccine will have to be patient. The vaccine from last year, which was adapted to XBB.1.5, expires on September 1st. And it is not yet known when the new one – Novavax JN.1 – can be delivered. However, this alternative vaccine is also expected for the fall.
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
