The World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Immunization Experts has concluded that healthy children and adolescents do not require booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The emphasis should be on extending boosters to individuals with higher risk, according to a formal press release from WHO.
The assessment further notes that the overall health system benefits from prioritizing well-established vaccines for children, such as those protecting against rotavirus, measles, and pneumococcal disease. These vaccines provide clearer and more substantial protection and should remain central to childhood immunization programs in many countries.
Boosters for COVID-19 are advised chiefly for those in high-risk categories. This includes older adults, individuals with compromised immune systems, healthcare workers who serve frontline roles, and pregnant people. The recommended interval between booster doses is six to twelve months, reflecting an approach that targets periods of heightened vulnerability while avoiding unnecessary dosing for lower-risk groups.
Priority groups for close monitoring include both children and adolescents who have health risks and healthy adults under 60. In these populations, a full vaccination series followed by a booster is advised to maintain optimal protection, aligned with surveillance data and evolving evidence about vaccine performance in real-world settings.
The guidance aims to balance the direct benefits of vaccination with practical considerations in health systems. It underscores the importance of leveraging well-established vaccines for children and adapting booster strategies to protect those most at risk, as supported by ongoing research and international health guidance from WHO and partner agencies.