News item | 11-02-2022 | 17:17
A booster vaccination will become possible for young people aged 12 to 17 years after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved it. This allows you to make your own assessment. That writes Minister Ernst Kuipers of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to the House of Representatives. The Health Council previously stated that there are no medical reasons to programmatically offer all young people of this age a booster. The EMA is expected to issue a review in early March.
If young people become infected against COVID-19 after a basic vaccination series, they usually have mild complaints. This also applies to young people from medical risk groups. Although the Health Council sees no medical reason to offer all young people a booster, some young people do want a booster. For example, they want to better protect someone from their family. If the EMA approves the booster for young people, then Minister Kuipers will decide that those who want it will receive a booster.
Offer without EMA approval
The option of offering the booster vaccination to young people without approval from the EMA, the so-called ‘off label’ offering, has been carefully considered. It has become apparent that there are too many substantive and legal uncertainties for this. That is why we are waiting for the extensive investigations by bodies such as the EMA and the Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB).
Young people with a severe immune disorder
Young people with a serious immune disorder can already get a third shot as part of the basic series. An extra shot on top of the basic vaccinations can sometimes help them. The treating pediatrician makes a decision about this.
Preparation
Minister Kuipers has asked RIVM to prepare the possibility of a booster vaccine for young people aged 12 to 17 years. In this way, a start can be made quickly after the possible approval of the EMA.