The Minister stated that the new recommendations of the IVP foresee that, in addition to the population groups identified previously, the booster should be received by all persons aged 40.
Pavļuts said that following primary vaccination with virus vector vaccines, the booster vaccine can be received by:
- all population 18 years of age eight weeks after receiving the Janssen vaccine;
- all population over 18 five months after receiving the second AstraZeneca vaccine;
- all population over 18 six months after receiving the second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
By Monday, November 29, a total of 66,376 persons had received a booster in Latvia.
Pavļuts said at a press conference after the government meeting that this was the preliminary information and the full protocol will be received later.
"The main message is that at the moment, without any additional conditions, all residents aged 18 can apply and receive. The booster is strongly recommended or, let us say, people over 40 years and risk groups,” the minister said.
There have recently been disagreements at vaccination points when a booster is refused because the person has arrived a few days too early. The head of the immunization council, Dace Zavadska, said that from a medical point of view, there should be some flexibility within the range of a few days.
From December onwards, residents, especially seniors and risk groups, will be informed in person about the possibility of receiving a booster, for example through text messages and other means of information.
