Age limit to receive the COVID-19 booster/4th dose drops to 30

As of Monday, 26 September, the decision to lower the age of eligibility for the second COVID-19 booster/4th dose of the vaccines against third dose comes into effect.

A Health Ministry press release issued on Sunday said that with a view to strengthen the immunity of people who are in the vulnerable groups against COVID-19, the second dose of the booster shot will be open to people aged 30 and over, to individuals who reside or who are employed in elderly homes and closed structures regardless of age, to healthcare professionals regardless of age and to pregnant individuals regardless of age.

Also eligible are individuals over the age of 12 with diabetes mellitus, morbidly obese: BMI ≥40 ή ≥35 or with metabolic syndrome, serious chronic cardiovascular disease, serious chronic renal disease,  serious chronic hepatic disease, serious chronic neurological disease, hemoglobinopathies, immunodeficient and immunocompromised patients for example in active treatment for solid tumours and hematological malignancies, with a history of organ transplantation receiving immunosuppressive therapy, with a history of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation receiving immunosuppressive treatment, with hereditary immunodeficiency, with HIV infection/AIDS, in immunosuppressive treatment including biological products, with renal failure undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, regarding cortisone use, it concerns individuals who have received or who will receive a total dose of ›10 mg prednisone/day (=8 mg methylprednisolone ) for one (1) month in the last six months.

The Ministry underlines that eligibility is valid provided that five months have elapsed since the administration of a booster/3rd dose.

It also added that the booster/4th dose is not mandatory.

Individuals are advised to present their identity cards or passports as well as vaccination cards at the vaccination centres. Immunosuppressed and immunodeficient individuals can be vaccinated at the walk in centres presenting a medical certificate from the personal doctor or specialty doctor.

The booster/3rd dose will be administered to people 12 years and older, provided that the period of five months has elapsed since the vaccination of the 2nd dose. It also notes that the third dose is optional.