In the daily newspaper “Die Presse” (Monday edition), however, she emphasized the importance of the “3rd stitch”. With the complete basic immunization you are well protected. So far, the NIG has issued a recommendation for the fourth corona vaccination for everyone over the age of 80 as well as immunosuppressed risk patients after an individual benefit-risk assessment with the doctor treating them. It is currently being carried out “off label” because the EMA has not yet issued a corresponding approval.
Broad protection after the third dose
“In the past few weeks and months, important publications on the competence of the third vaccination have appeared. They show that the immunological repertoire increases extremely after the third dose. And not only in terms of the number of long-lived plasma cells and so-called B-memory cells also called memory cells, which quickly produce neutralizing antibodies after contact with the virus; but also in terms of their complexity, so that after the third vaccination there is broad protection against different variants,” emphasized Wiedermann-Schmidt in the “Presse”.
Recommended for strong waves in autumn
From an immunological point of view, there is currently no need to vaccinate the entire population a fourth time, also because omicron usually causes mild courses “and we now have a high prevalence. Around 80 percent of the population may have come into contact with the virus”. according to the expert. “If, however, a new modified variant were to prevail unexpectedly, the situation would have to be reassessed.”
The third vaccination is all the more important. Many “haven’t even picked up the booster yet,” says Wiedermann-Schmidt. Those who have been vaccinated twice so far should wait until late summer or autumn, “because then the protection is highest in autumn and winter – namely also the mucosal immunity, i.e. the immunity on the mucous membranes, which not only causes severe courses, but also infections – for a short time – be prevented to a high percentage”. This in turn “could also be a reason to make a general recommendation for the fourth vaccination in autumn – a strong wave that is beginning, which could be broken with a further dose and the associated mucosal immunity that prevents infection,” restricted the expert a.
Source: Nachrichten
