Older Norwegians are advised to take a refreshing dose of the vaccine when at least six months have passed since the second dose, says the Minister of Health.
Minister of Health Bent Høie (H) emphasizes that this is a refreshing dose of the Pfizer vaccine, which was approved for this purpose by the European Medicines Agency EMA.
Ages 85 and older and nursing home residents have priority. Then people aged 75-84, and then 65-74.
Knowledge is limited, but the FHI believes the benefits likely outweigh the risks for the elderly. This is partly because older people are more likely to develop serious illnesses and that it's been the longest time since they were fully vaccinated, says Høie.
He says he hopes the third dose will provide extended protection and better protection against new variants of the coronavirus.
The Norwegian recommendation is narrower than the European Medicines Agency's EMA. They are asking countries to consider giving a third dose to everyone aged 18 to 55. Norway had previously opened to a third vaccine dose for people with weakened immune systems.
FHI recommended that the government offered a booster dose to everyone aged 85 and over, including care home residents, with likely expansion to the 75-84 and 65-74 age groups in the near future.
Photo: Ali Zare / NTB
Høie asks municipalities to prioritize full immunization rather than giving refresher doses
- It is important that municipalities prioritize vaccinations for those who have not been vaccinated so far, and those who have only received one dose. They should then prioritize giving a third dose to people with severely compromised immune systems, as well as seasonal flu vaccination, says Health Minister Bent Høie (H).
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The National Institute of Public Health (FHI) is considering whether a booster dose of the vaccine should be given to healthcare professionals to protect the sick and the elderly.
