THL recommends coronavirus vaccine booster for older people and risk groups this autumn

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) recommends a coronavirus vaccine booster this autumn for all those aged 65 or over, those aged 18 or over in medical risk groups and those aged 12 or over with severe immunodeficiency.  

As an exception, a booster dose may also be given to other persons aged 18 or over for special reasons on the basis of individual consideration and risk assessment, for example due to a work posting or requirements of a destination country.  

The booster vaccine can be taken in the coming autumn after at least three months have passed since one’s previous vaccination or having the disease. It is not recommended to take the vaccine in September, but rather later in the autumn, at the same time with an influenza vaccine. 

For booster vaccine target groups, it no longer matters how many vaccines the person has received or how many times they may have had the coronavirus disease. 

“This is a targeted booster vaccination to maintain protection against the severe disease and death and possibly expand the immunological foundation of protection,” says Hanna Nohynek, Chief Physician at THL.  

THL's recommendation is based on a joint assessment by the National Advisory Committee on Vaccines (KRAR) and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.  

For the healthy population under 65 years of age, vaccine protection against the severe disease will remain effective for a long time

THL's previous recommendations on the basic series and boosters of coronavirus vaccines are still valid. 

“As previously recommended, the series of vaccinations offered to healthy people aged 18-59 is three doses. For those aged 60-64, the recommendation is four doses in accordance with the July recommendation. In other words, the new booster recommendation this autumn only applies to those aged 65 or over and medical risk groups,” Hanna Nohynek says.

The slowly decreasing protection against the severe form of disease should be enhanced among risk groups. The oldest and most vulnerable age groups have received their latest booster dose in the spring, so 5-7 months will have passed this autumn since their previous vaccine dose.  

Vaccine doses previously recommended for healthy people under 65 years of age still provide excellent protection against the severe disease. Among this population group, there is also a lot of protection due to coronavirus infections. 

"According to studies, in healthy adults of working age, at least two doses of the vaccine and already having the disease or three doses of the vaccine provide protection against the severe disease for at least nine months. The protection will remain at almost the same level during this period as after vaccination. Even after nine months, there is still a significant level of protection,” says Hanna Nohynek.

Coronavirus and influenza vaccination at the same time 

The possible seasonal variation of the coronavirus may increase the number of cases in late autumn or at the turn of the year. Currently, omicron BA.4/5 is the dominant variant. It is possible that, for example, BA.2.75 or some other variant will become dominant due to either higher infectiousness or by circumventing the protection provided by previous vaccines and infections.  

The original vaccines or variant-specific vaccines, once they are available, may be used as booster doses. 

COVID-19 vaccinations are organised by the municipalities. 

“Health care resources are limited, so it is important that as many of the coronavirus vaccinations in the autumn as possible are administered in connection with influenza vaccinations,” says Mia Kontio, Chief Specialist at THL. 

Influenza vaccinations are usually administered in November-December. 

Risk groups due to long-term illnesses and target groups for vaccinations are almost identical for influenza and coronavirus. Age is the most significant risk factor for severe coronavirus disease, and the risk caused by age alone clearly increases from 70 years onwards. The influenza vaccine is recommended for all those aged 65 or over.  

“The age limit of 65 years for the healthy population coincides with influenza vaccinations and makes practical vaccination work easier. It also includes a safety margin compared to an age limit of 70,” Hanna Nohynek says. 

More research data on variant vaccines is expected

Variant vaccines expand immunity compared to vaccines based on the previous Wuhan strain. However, so far there is very limited clinical information on them. 

It is not yet known how well variant vaccines protect against coronavirus infection. They are not expected to provide significantly better protection against a severe disease caused by variant viruses compared to the original vaccines. For this reason, booster doses are not currently separately recommended for social welfare and health care professionals. 

THL and KRAR are monitoring the research data and evidence collected on variant vaccines and will assess whether there is a need for booster vaccinations of social welfare and health care professionals and those close to at-risk individuals. 

THL will update the vaccination recommendations for children and young people when KRAR's subgroup for children finishes its own general proposal. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has not yet approved a marketing authorisation for the use of coronavirus vaccines on children under 5 years of age. 

EMA decisions on marketing authorisations for variant vaccines are expected at the beginning of September. THL will provide further information on which vaccines will be used in the autumn booster doses and when new coronavirus vaccine batches will be received in Finland. 

THL is monitoring the coronavirus situation and, if necessary, will adjust its vaccination recommendations. 

Further information: 

Mia Kontio
Chief Specialist
THL
[email protected]

Hanna Nohynek 
Chief Physician 
THL 
[email protected]