Europe considers booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines

Based on current evidence, there is no urgent need for the administration of booster doses of vaccines to fully vaccinated individuals in the general population, according to a technical report issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The report also notes that additional doses should already be considered for people with severely weakened immune systems as part of their primary vaccination. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is currently assessing data on additional doses and will consider whether updates to the product information are appropriate. EMA will also be assessing data on booster doses. While EMA assesses relevant data, Member States may consider preparatory plans for administering boosters and additional doses. The ECDC will update its technical report as ECDC and EMA continue to work together to collect and assess data that are becoming available on boosters and additional doses. Close monitoring of vaccine effectiveness data and breakthrough infections, particularly among vulnerable groups at risk of severe COVID-19 and among those living in closed settings, would be continued.