One of the criteria for reclassifying COVID-19, currently classified as a dangerous novel communicable disease, as a regular communicable disease, is the arrival of COVID drugs that can be administered at home at Estonian pharmacies, said Ragnar Vaiknemets, chief of the Health Board's Crisis Headquarters.
While the start of the new school year is likely to bring with it a new increase in COVID-19 infections, University of Tartu (TÜ) virology professor Irja Lutsar says that children have strong immune systems and tend to have COVID more mildly, and doesn't consider it necessary right now for kids to get booster doses of the vaccine.
Infection with the COVID-19 virus is on the rise again in Estonia, where the number of hospitalized patients with COVID has doubled in the span of just one month. According to researchers, COVID variants currently making the rounds, while highly contagious, are mild.
As the number of cases and hospitalizations in Europe begin to rise again, EU agencies published updated guidance on Monday recommending second booster doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for the elderly and those with medical conditions putting them at high risk of severe disease. University of Tartu (TÜ) virology professor Irja Lutsar agrees.
Estonia's elderly and risk group members are likely to be given a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine later this year as the idea is backed by the immunoprophylaxis expert committee.