독일 예방접종위원회 “AZ Vaccine for Under 60, Second Dose with Pfizer or Moderna” Recommended

Unusual Decision in Reporting Adverse Cases of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST)
Among 2.7 Million First AZ Vaccine Recipients, mRNA Vaccines Recommended for Those Under 60

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) has recommended that individuals under 60 years old who received the first dose of the AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine should receive their second dose with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.

On the 1st (local time), STIKO approved and announced the fourth revision of its COVID-19 vaccination recommendation, which includes this guidance, on its website.

According to the announced revision, the principle remains that the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine should be administered with the same vaccine; however, those under 60 who received the first dose of the AZ vaccine are defined as an "exception."

STIKO recommends that individuals under 60 who received the first dose of the AZ vaccine receive their second dose with an mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccine such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna 12 weeks later.

So far, there is no academic evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of mixing different vaccines for the first and second doses. However, STIKO's position is to recommend this approach until such evidence is presented.

Earlier, Thomas Mertens, chairman of the Standing Committee on Vaccination, stated in an interview with Der Spiegel that "animal experiment data confirmed that immune responses are similar when different vaccines are administered for the first and second doses," adding, "academic verification of the immune response in humans is still needed, but related data is expected soon."

He further noted, "The risks associated with the second dose of the AZ vaccine are currently only speculative," and emphasized, "The best solution is to exclude the second dose of the AZ vaccine altogether and administer RNA vaccines to ensure the safety of vaccine recipients."

In Germany, 31 suspected cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) have been reported following AZ vaccination, with 9 deaths, leading to the decision to limit the AZ vaccine to those aged 60 and above.

Meanwhile, the first dose of the AZ vaccine in Germany has been administered to those under 65 since early February. Accordingly, individuals under 60 in this group are expected to receive their second dose with Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines in early May.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.