THL recommends a third dose of coronavirus vaccine for those treating coronavirus patients and other personnel in critical care
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommends that a third dose of coronavirus vaccine be administered six months after the second dose to health care personnel who treat coronavirus patients, personnel and residents of 24-hour care facilities and other social welfare and health care personnel providing urgent care.
Earlier in November, THL proposed that a third dose of coronavirus vaccine should be administered to personnel treating those in at-risk groups and, at local discretion, to other social welfare and health care personnel. The recommendation is intended to better safeguard the resource capacity of the health care system.
The recommendation concerns the first group of the original vaccination order. This group includes personnel in, for example, intensive care units, inpatient wards and emergency care wards that treat diagnosed or suspected coronavirus patients, infectious diseases clinics, coronavirus testing and emergency care. This group also includes laboratory personnel involved in coronavirus diagnostics.
A third dose may also be given to other social welfare and health care personnel providing urgent care in areas that are considered to be urgent and critical by the region. This group includes personnel in, for example, acute psychiatry units, emergency child welfare services and delivery and childbirth wards. These areas of work are essential for guaranteeing the patients’ statutory right to urgent treatment.
Third coronavirus vaccine dose six months after a second dose
THL’s recommendation to administer a third dose of coronavirus vaccine six months after a second dose applies to all currently defined groups entitled to a third dose, with the exception of persons with immune deficiencies.
THL recommends a six-month vaccination interval for a better immune response and, most likely, a better long-term protection. According to studies, there has also been no major decline in protection against the severe disease during six months. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) also recommends a six-month interval between the second and third vaccines.
Further information on the groups to which a third vaccine dose is administered:
Vaccination order and at-risk groups for COVID-19
The need for a third dose of vaccine for other people under 60 years of age will be discussed at the meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Vaccines on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 after which THL will provide information separately.
Pfizer's Comirnaty vaccine for men under 30
The recommendation for a third dose also applies to men in the group and under 30 years of age who are administered Biontech-Pfizer’s Comirnaty as a third dose of vaccine.
Due to the precautionary principle, THL did not previously recommend a third dose of vaccine for men under 30 years of age, except for those belonging to a medical risk group or with severe immune deficiencies. Moderna's Spikevax vaccine is still not recommended for men under 30 years of age due to the associated rare risk of myocardial infections and pericarditis. Biontech-Pfizer's Comirnaty vaccine is also associated with this rare risk, but it is significantly smaller on the basis of a Nordic study.
Men under 30 years of age who have been vaccinated at short intervals or who live in institutions and care homes can now be administered a third dose of Biontech-Pfizer’s Comirnaty vaccine.
Further information
Hanna Nohynek
Chief Physician
THL
[email protected]
Mia Kontio
Chief Specialist
THL
[email protected]
