THL has instructed municipalities on giving third doses of coronavirus vaccine to persons vaccinated with short dose interval
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has instructed municipalities to offer a third dose of coronavirus vaccine to persons with immune deficiencies and to those who were among the first to be vaccinated and had a dose interval of 3-4 weeks.
As a precaution, however, the third dose is not recommended for men under 30 years of age at this point when the third doses are being rolled out. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare is waiting for further research data on the risk of rare myocarditis in third-dose recipients.
Booster doses will be offered to approximately 85,000 people
The third dose strengthens and extends the protection provided by the first two doses for those who were vaccinated some time ago and who have received their vaccines with a shorter dose interval of 3–4 weeks. This group includes healthcare personnel working on the front line in the treatment and testing of coronavirus patients. In addition, the group includes elderly residents of nursing homes and employees caring for them.
‘Based on the monitoring data collected from Finland and elsewhere, the effectiveness of coronavirus vaccination against infection and mild coronavirus disease declines faster if the dose interval is short. Effectiveness against the serious disease remains reasonably good,’ explains Hanna Nohynek, Chief Physician at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
The third dose may be administered once at least six months have elapsed since receiving the second dose. According to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare estimates, there are now approximately 85,000 people that need a booster dose and have been vaccinated with short dose intervals.
More research data needed on third doses for young men
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends that men under 30 years of age are not offered third vaccine doses at this point, as those who have received mRNA vaccines both in Finland and in other countries have developed myocarditis more often than the population as a whole. The risk is higher for young men after the second dose of coronavirus vaccine.
However, such cases are also rare among young men, and young men who have developed such symptoms have generally recovered well.
‘Thanks to the studies and monitoring, the risk of myocarditis associated with the second dose of mRNA vaccine is known to be very low and the clinical picture is mostly mild. Therefore, the first- and second-dose vaccinations included in the basic vaccination series may continue as at present. However, there is currently still very little research and monitoring data on myocarditis after third doses. Our recommendation on the age limit is a precautionary measure until more research data is collected, and we will review the guideline as further knowledge is acquired,’ explains Petteri Hovi, Senior Researcher at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.
The recommendation on the age limit for third doses does not apply to those with serious immune deficiencies as they have a significantly higher risk of severe coronavirus disease than other people of the same age.
Further information:
Hanna Nohynek
THL
Head Physician
[email protected]
Petteri Hovi
THL
Senior Researcher
[email protected]
