Third vaccination shot for immunosuppressed from Tuesday 14 September
COVID-19
07 Sep 2021
/ 09:51
ATHENS. The National Vaccination Committee has given the go-ahead for the third vaccination shot with committee president Maria Theodoridou announcing the first group to receive SMS notices.
A total of 285,000 people in Corfu who are immunosuppressed will be able to have a third vaccination shot from Tuesday 14 September, when the online platform for the booster shots will open, as announced by the General Secretary for Primary Healthcare Marios Themistokleous.
As announced in the update from the Ministry of Health, all those who are immunosuppressed or who are taking medication which lowers the body's defences will be able to have a third shot four weeks after their second shot.
The President of the National Vaccination Committee Maria Theodoridou referred to low immunity due to the passing of a specific period of time. She said that for the general public, after eight months or in some cases nine or more the number of antibodies appears to decrease.
She said, however, that this doesn't mean that "those who have received two shots are no longer protected by the vaccination. There shouldn't be any anxiety about receiving a third shot - it is just a booster shot to reinforce the initial antibodies."
Appointments from 14 September
Members of the public will start receiving SMS messages from 13 September to book appointments for the booster shot starting from the next day, when the online platform for appointments will be available.
Depending on the recommendations from the National Vaccination Committee, following this other categories will then be able to book appointments. Immediately after those who are immunosuppressed, the next priority for booster shots is those aged 60 and over and those working in Senior Care Homes.
At the moment, the committee hasn't given its recommendation for these groups but it is expected shortly. It has, however, advised in favour of booster shots for those with transplants, cancer patients, kidney patients and those with immune deficiency.
When asked whether health workers would be a priority for booster shots, Ms. Theodoridou said that when the over-60s are vaccinated a lot of health workers will also receive the shot and explained that, "the categorisation we are doing now is not a prioritisation as we did initially as there are now sufficient vaccines available."
The purpose of the third booster shot
It will be given to those who haven't responded to the initial vaccination due to a reduced immunity function. It acts as a reinforcement and a boost.
It will be given to those whose antibodies have decreased due to the passing of a long period of time since the initial vaccination.
Specialists, however, point out: "The booster programme mustn't overshadow the basic vaccination programme."
As announced in the update from the Ministry of Health, all those who are immunosuppressed or who are taking medication which lowers the body's defences will be able to have a third shot four weeks after their second shot.
The President of the National Vaccination Committee Maria Theodoridou referred to low immunity due to the passing of a specific period of time. She said that for the general public, after eight months or in some cases nine or more the number of antibodies appears to decrease.
She said, however, that this doesn't mean that "those who have received two shots are no longer protected by the vaccination. There shouldn't be any anxiety about receiving a third shot - it is just a booster shot to reinforce the initial antibodies."
Appointments from 14 September
Members of the public will start receiving SMS messages from 13 September to book appointments for the booster shot starting from the next day, when the online platform for appointments will be available.
Depending on the recommendations from the National Vaccination Committee, following this other categories will then be able to book appointments. Immediately after those who are immunosuppressed, the next priority for booster shots is those aged 60 and over and those working in Senior Care Homes.
At the moment, the committee hasn't given its recommendation for these groups but it is expected shortly. It has, however, advised in favour of booster shots for those with transplants, cancer patients, kidney patients and those with immune deficiency.
When asked whether health workers would be a priority for booster shots, Ms. Theodoridou said that when the over-60s are vaccinated a lot of health workers will also receive the shot and explained that, "the categorisation we are doing now is not a prioritisation as we did initially as there are now sufficient vaccines available."
The purpose of the third booster shot
It will be given to those who haven't responded to the initial vaccination due to a reduced immunity function. It acts as a reinforcement and a boost.
It will be given to those whose antibodies have decreased due to the passing of a long period of time since the initial vaccination.
Specialists, however, point out: "The booster programme mustn't overshadow the basic vaccination programme."
