VACCINATION

Spanish Ministry of Health approves booster dose for people over 40

People queue in front of the vaccination center installed at the Fira de Barcelona before receiving their vaccine booster dose. Photo: Paco Freire/dpa.

People under 60 years of age vaccinated with AstraZeneca will receive the booster shot starting three months after the last dose

The Ministry of Health has authorized the booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for people over 40 years of age, according to a government statement.

The decision was supported by the Public Health Commission, in which the central Ministry of Health and the governments of the regions (comunidades autonomas) participate.

The decision was made one day after the start of the vaccination campaign for children between 5 and 11 years old. And also one day after the central health authorities said they endorsed the vaccination of those over 50 years of age. Now, the measure is extended to those over 40.

The booster will begin to be given to people between 50 and 59 years old, starting with the oldest, six months after the initial regimen has ended.

People between the ages of 40 and 49 are expected to receive the new vaccine between January and February. Until now, the third dose was intended for those over 60, health personnel and people with previous pathologies that made them more vulnerable to Covid-19.

People under 60 years of age vaccinated with AstraZeneca will receive the booster shot starting three months after the last dose.

Janssen

The Ministry says that people of any age with a dose of the Janssen vaccine - originally a single-dose drug - should also receive a booster dose.

The Public Health Commission, made up of the general directors of this area, insists that the immunization of children under 12 years of age and of those who have not yet received any dose of the vaccine should now be prioritized.