COVID-19

COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a virus belonging to the coronavirus family. While the disease may be asymptomatic, it can also cause a range of symptoms, including severe respiratory problems that can lead to hospitalisation or death.

COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. It can also be transmitted by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the face, particularly the mouth, nose or eyes. The virus spreads most easily in indoor and poorly ventilated spaces.

Vaccination aims to protect the most vulnerable populations against COVID-19.

Recommendation

The CSMI recommends vaccinating against COVID-19 people at risk of severe forms of the disease, in particular:

• people aged 65 and over
• pregnant women
• people at risk of severe forms of the disease, regardless of age
• healthcare workers

For healthy children and adolescents (who do not belong to any of the groups at risk of severe infection), booster vaccination against COVID-19 is not recommended.

Vaccination method

• Vaccination: Intramuscular injection
• Booster: A minimum interval of six months must be observed since the last dose or infection, regardless of age and number of previous boosters.

The vaccine can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccine, but at different sites.