WHO updates COVID-19 vaccination guidelines; check out the revised recommendations

Commenting on the same, Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder and Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, said that the priority groups have been based on the risk of severe COVID-19 disease, hospitalisation, and death. “SAGE takes into account several factors, including age, underlying health conditions, occupation and living conditions,” he said.

As per the revised guidance, three priority-use groups for COVID-19 vaccination are high, medium and low. (Source: Freepik)

The high priority group consists of older adults, younger adults with significant comorbidities (e.g. diabetes and heart disease), people with immunocompromising conditions, including children aged 6 months and older, pregnant persons and frontline health workers. SAGE recommends an additional booster of either 6 to 12 months after last dose, with timeframe dependent on age and immunocompromising conditions.

Dr Bajaj said, “The high priority group is most at risk because they are more likely to experience severe COVID-19 disease and related complications. Older adults and those with underlying health conditions have weaker immune systems, making them more vulnerable. Pregnant persons and frontline workers have higher risk of exposure to the virus.”

The medium group, comprising of health adults and children as well as adolescents with underlying conditions, is recommended to have the primary vaccine series and the first booster dose. “Although additional boosters are safe for this group, SAGE does not routinely recommend them, given the comparatively low public health returns,” WHO said.

Meanwhile, healthy children and adolescents aged six months to 17 years are in low priority group for whom it says vaccination depends on cost-effectiveness and opportunity costs, given the low burden of disease. However, Dr Bajaj said that as more data becomes available, the situation may change.

Apart from vaccination, the expert recommends individuals in different priority groups to take additional precautions such as wearing masks, practicing physical distancing, washing hands regularly, avoiding crowded places, and improving indoor ventilation.

Concluding, Dr Bajaj said, “People with underlying health condition should follow their doctor’s advice regarding any specific precautions they should take.”

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