COVID-19 virus circulation expected, who and when should receive the third vaccine dose

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Based on aggregate data from the Information System of the Health Insurance Institute of Sarajevo Canton, a total of 167,493 residents of Sarajevo Canton have been fully vaccinated, which represents 50.4 percent of the population over 18 years of age.

Circulation of SARS-CoV-2 is expected in the coming period, along with other respiratory viruses.

COVID-19 vaccines provide a high level of protection against hospitalization and death. To maintain this level of protection during the winter period, the Expert Advisory Body (EAB) for Immunization of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina recommends revaccination of those at highest risk of severe forms of the disease, and other groups according to previously defined priorities:

1a. Healthcare workers and auxiliary staff in healthcare facilities
1b. Elderly persons in social care institutions for the elderly and their caregivers
2. Persons over 75 years of age
3a. Persons aged 60 to 74 years
3b. Persons under 75 years of age, particularly vulnerable due to clinical conditions /vaccination of this group with a third dose has already begun/
4a. Persons under 60 years of age with chronic diseases and conditions
4b. Persons employed in essential public services – police, education, social services, etc.
5. Other age groups

Recommendations for the third dose by vaccine manufacturer:

Pfizer – six months after the second dose (for immunocompromised categories, according to EAB recommendations, two months after the second dose);
AstraZeneca – six months after the second dose;
Johnson&Johnson – two months after the first dose;
Moderna – six months after the second dose (for immunocompromised categories, according to EAB recommendations, two months after the second dose);
Sinopharm and Sinovac – three to six months after the second dose.

Who and when is the third dose recommended: 

• If a person had COVID-19 and then received two doses according to the recommended schedule for a specific vaccine type, there is no recommendation yet for receiving a third dose;
• If a person had COVID-19 and was never vaccinated, they will receive the first dose three to six months after recovery, and the second dose six months after the first;
• If a person received two doses of the vaccine and then contracted COVID-19, they can receive a third dose six months after recovery;

As a third dose, it is possible to receive the same type of vaccine with which the primary series was started, and it is also possible to receive a vaccine from another manufacturer.

More detailed information about vaccines can be found here.