The government has decided that booster doses will be offered to more people.

• Everyone aged 18 to 64 is offered a booster dose of the coronavirus vaccine (regjeringen.no) (in Norwegian only)

Until now, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has recommended that those aged over 65 years, people aged 18-64 with an underlying a severe disease course, young people in the age group 12-17 with serious underlying conditions, and pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimester should take a new booster dose before the autumn/winter season 2022.

Available for those who wish to take it

"Just because it has been opened for more people to take a new booster dose does not mean that we believe that everyone in this target group should take a new dose - rather, it makes it possible for those who want to take it to choose to do so," explains Are Stuwitz Berg, Department Director at the NIPH.

The risk of a severe disease course in this age group is low, and the benefit of a new booster dose will be limited as vaccination coverage is high and many have also undergone infection relatively recently.

However, there some people may wish to be vaccinated, and this is now possible.

Healthcare personnel

The NIPH considers that, currently there is also no basis to include healthcare personnel in the target group who should take a new booster dose this autumn.

"The need for increased individual protection is low for most people and there is high coverage for the first three doses. Healthcare personnel can also decide for themselves whether they want a booster dose or not," says Are Stuwitz Berg.

Municipalities organise vaccination

The municipalities will organise vaccination. Vaccination of the group aged 18 to 64 without an underlying disease can begin in municipalities that have offered vaccination to the risk groups, or that can provide a parallel service if there is sufficient capacity.