EU's Health Policy Implementation Assessed in Commission's New Report
In the ongoing fight against COVID-19, a heated debate has emerged concerning the early administration of booster vaccinations in Germany. SPD health politician, Karl Lauterbach, is pushing for a swift recommendation from the vaccination commission regarding the third vaccination. However, his stance on considering immune weaknesses when issuing the recommendation has sparked controversy.
Lauterbach has expressed uncertainty about whether a vaccination before the end of six months would not be too early. This uncertainty is further fuelled by the fact that some districts have already started administering third vaccinations, a move that contributes to additional uncertainty among doctors and patients, according to Armin Beck, a board member of the German Association of Family Doctors.
Beck, along with his association, criticizes the early administration of booster shots against Corona. He demands that the booster vaccinations should wait for the recommendation of the Stiko, the Standing Committee on Vaccination in Germany. Uniform regulations regarding booster vaccinations are necessary, according to Beck.
Currently, the Stiko recommends booster COVID-19 vaccinations primarily for certain vulnerable groups, including children and adolescents with underlying conditions, persons aged 60 and older, residents of care facilities, and medical and care staff. Boosters for these groups should ideally use variant-adapted vaccines. For the general adult population (18+), as of mid-2025, booster shots are recommended for persons at elevated risk of severe COVID-19, typically at a minimum interval of 12 months after the last vaccination or infection, preferably in autumn.
For immune weaknesses, boosters remain recommended with potentially shorter intervals (e.g., 6 months post last dose) due to increased risk. This approach remains intact in 2025, with booster doses strongly advised for those with immunodeficiency to maintain adequate protection.
Lauterbach, however, does not expect booster vaccinations for certain groups to be recommended earlier than for others. The next broad recommendation to expand booster vaccination, such as for all adults regardless of risk status, is yet to be finalized based on future risk assessments and surveillance data.
As the debate continues, the German Association of Family Doctors reiterates its stance, advocating for waiting for the Stiko's recommendation before administering booster shots against Corona. The association believes that adhering to the Stiko's recommendations is crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of the vaccination programme.
- The science behind the early administration of booster vaccinations for coronavirus is a topic of controversy in Germany, with SPD health politician Karl Lauterbach pushing for a rapid recommendation from the vaccination commission.
- Armin Beck, a board member of the German Association of Family Doctors, criticizes the early implementation of booster shots against Corona and advocates for waiting for the Stiko's recommendation before administering them.
- Currently, the Stiko recommends booster COVID-19 vaccinations for specific vulnerable groups, including the elderly, medical and care staff, and those with underlying health conditions. For the general adult population, booster shots are recommended in mid-2025 for individuals at elevated risk.
- For those with immune weaknesses, booster doses are recommended with potentially shorter intervals due to the increased risk, and this approach remains in place in 2025 with boosters strongly advised for those with immunodeficiency.
- The German Association of Family Doctors believes that adhering to the Stiko's recommendations is crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of the vaccination program and has reiterated its stance in the ongoing debate about booster vaccinations for coronavirus.
