We recommend vaccination with an mRNA vaccine for everyone aged 12 and over. These vaccines currently offer optimal protection against severe illness and its potential consequences.
Vaccination with the children's vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech is also recommended for children from age 5 to 11 whose parents or legal guardians wish them to have it based on the risks and benefits in each individual case.
People under 30 should preferably receive the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (initial immunisation and booster vaccination). Those aged between 12 and 17 should receive the booster vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. This is because in very rare cases, inflammation of the heart muscle or the membrane around the heart has occurred immediately after vaccination. This was slightly more likely to occur after vaccination with the Moderna vaccine than with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. This is a very rare side effect and is easily treatable. Such infections also occur after a coronavirus infection. For both mRNA vaccines it is clear that the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in people under 30 outweigh the potential risks.
Vaccination with the vector vaccine from Janssen or the protein-based vaccine from Novavax is recommended as follows:
- For people aged 18 and over who cannot be vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine for medical reasons.
- For people aged 18 and over who do not want to be vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine.
Caution: This does not apply to pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with a compromised immune system. These groups of people should be vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine if possible.