According to the recommendations of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the interval between the first and second dose of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) is extended to 12 weeks. This recommendation applies to all age groups under 65 and only people with no underlying disease. According to preliminary FHI estimates, people aged 18 to 44 will be offered the vaccine up to five weeks earlier than expected in the vaccination scenario.
For people who have already received the first dose and the due date for the second dose, nothing changes
The recommendation takes effect on Monday, May 3, and will not be retroactive. This means that for people who have already received the first dose and when they are due for the second dose, nothing changes. The interval is now six weeks.
- Today we received a recommendation from the National Institute of Public Health and decided to apply it. When we increase the interval, many more people get vaccinated sooner. This will contribute both to the prevention of serious illness and death and to the reduction of the level of infection in society. This is Minister of Health and Health, Bent Høie, speaking.
It is important that everyone has the second dose of the vaccine at the right time
Recent knowledge of the effect following mRNA vaccination indicates that there is only a minimal difference in antibody levels from six to 12 weeks. Thus, these vaccines provide good protection for the first 12 weeks after the first dose.
"It's important that everyone takes the second dose at the right time to get a full immunization," says Høie.
The interval between the first and second dose of vaccine increases
People aged 18-44 will be offered the first dose of the vaccine up to five weeks earlier than the current forecast
Initial FHI estimates show that those 18-44 years old will be able to be offered the first dose vaccines up to five weeks in advancethan the current forecast indicates. This means in week 29 (July 19 - 25) instead of week 34 (August 23 - 29). If vaccines AstraZeneca and Janssen will be used in Norway following the presentation of the commission's report on May 10, this could have further implications for the pace of vaccinations.
