Press Releases

The Ministry of Health, in the framework of its efforts to strengthen the immunity of the population and prevent COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, stresses the following:

a) A booster dose is recommended with the adapted mRNA bivalent vaccine [1], Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 (Pfizer), for persons aged 12 years and over, provided that a period of three (3) months has elapsed since the last dose of primary vaccination [2] or since the booster dose of the monovalent vaccine.

At the vaccination centres, available for a booster dose are also the adapted mRNA bivalent vaccines that include the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of the Omicron variant (Moderna), for persons aged 12 years and over, provided that a period of five (5) months has elapsed since the last dose of the initial vaccine.

b) The use of the adapted mRNA bivalent vaccines, Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 (Pfizer) is recommended as a booster dose for people aged 5 to 11 years, for active immunisation. This vaccine is suitable only for individuals who have already received at least a primary vaccination series against COVID-19, provided that a period of three (3) months has elapsed since the last dose of the vaccine.

c) The use of the mRNA monovalent vaccine, Comirnaty (Pfizer) is recommended as initial vaccination for children aged 6 months to 4 years against the original strain of the virus.

• Beneficiaries can be served through the walk-in vaccination centres that operate in all districts.
• Vaccination with a booster dose is recommended after a period of 3 months since the 1st COVID-19 positive test has elapsed.

Receiving a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is optional.

It is stressed that the initial COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide protection against serious illness, hospitalisation and death, and are used for primary vaccinations. Available at the vaccination centres are the Pfizer vaccine and the Johnson &Johnson single-dose vaccine of modified virus. The operating hours of the vaccination centres can be found in Table 1.

In order to receive vaccination, the following must be provided:

• Identification document (identity card or passport) and vaccination card.
• For the initial COVID-19 vaccination of persons under the age of 18 years, the written consent form of parents/guardians signed by both parents, where applicable, is necessary (Greek or English form), as well as identification evidence (identity or birth certificate).
• For better planning of the vaccinations for persons under the age of 12 years, those interested must book an appointment by calling at the telephone numbers provided in Table 2.

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[1] With an immune response against 1) the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and (2) the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

[2] Primary vaccination includes two doses of the mRNA monovalent vaccine (with an immune response against the primary strain of SARS-CoV-2), or the protein vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine.

 (MV/MPO)