Current German Recommendations and International Research on the Use of COVID-19 Boosters among Health Care Providers in 2024: A Narrative Review

doi:10.3390/medicina60030385

Review

. 2024 Feb 25;60(3):385.

doi: 10.3390/medicina60030385.

Current German Recommendations and International Research on the Use of COVID-19 Boosters among Health Care Providers in 2024: A Narrative Review

Poramate Pitak-Arnnop^{1

2}, Popchai Ngamskulrungroj³, Nithi Mahanonda⁴, Prim Auychai^{5

6}, Benjamin Frech^{2

7}, Veronika Shavlokhova^{2

8}, Christian Stoll²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Plastic Surgery, UKGM University Hospital Marburg, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
² Department of Oral, Craniomaxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University Brandenburg, D-16816 Neuruppin, Germany.
³ Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
⁴ Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
⁵ Thai Association of Pediatric Dentistry, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
⁶ Royal College of Dentists of Thailand, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.
⁷ Department of Oral, Craniomaxillofacial, Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, GLG Werner Forßmann Hospital Eberswalde-Academic Teaching Hospital of Charité Medical University Berlin, D-16225 Eberswalde, Germany.
⁸ Private Practice, D-73614 Schorndorf, Germany.

PMID: 38541111
PMCID: PMC10971846
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60030385

Review

Current German Recommendations and International Research on the Use of COVID-19 Boosters among Health Care Providers in 2024: A Narrative Review

Poramate Pitak-Arnnop et al. Medicina (Kaunas). 2024.

. 2024 Feb 25;60(3):385.

doi: 10.3390/medicina60030385.

Authors

Poramate Pitak-Arnnop^{1

2}, Popchai Ngamskulrungroj³, Nithi Mahanonda⁴, Prim Auychai^{5

6}, Benjamin Frech^{2

7}, Veronika Shavlokhova^{2

8}, Christian Stoll²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oral and Craniomaxillofacial Plastic Surgery, UKGM University Hospital Marburg, Faculty of Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany.
² Department of Oral, Craniomaxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Ruppin-Brandenburg, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University Brandenburg, D-16816 Neuruppin, Germany.
³ Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
⁴ Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand.
⁵ Thai Association of Pediatric Dentistry, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
⁶ Royal College of Dentists of Thailand, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.
⁷ Department of Oral, Craniomaxillofacial, Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery, GLG Werner Forßmann Hospital Eberswalde-Academic Teaching Hospital of Charité Medical University Berlin, D-16225 Eberswalde, Germany.
⁸ Private Practice, D-73614 Schorndorf, Germany.

PMID: 38541111
PMCID: PMC10971846
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60030385

Abstract

While the World Health Organization (WHO) has de-escalated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from a global health emergency, ongoing discussions persist as new viral variants. This article aimed to consolidate German recommendations and international research to offer health care providers (HCPs) a comprehensive guide on COVID-19 boosters in 2024. The review outlines key recommendations from the German Robert Koch Institute. HCPs should receive COVID-19 boosters at least 12 months after their last vaccination or COVID-19 infection, contingent on the prevalent viral variant(s) in the region. However, excessive doses and/or frequent boosters, especially with mRNA vaccines, may lead to immune imprinting, T-cell exhaustion, and immunoglobulin (Ig) switching. Notably, this review highlights the significance of Ig, particularly IgA and IgG subclasses, in influencing infection risk and disease progression. Furthermore, it explores the implications of mRNA vaccine technology and potential adverse effects related to excessive dosing. In conclusion, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 vaccine boosters for HCPs, synthesising current recommendations, scientific debates, and considerations for optimising protection against SARS-CoV-2 in the evolving landscape of the post-pandemic era.

Keywords: COVID-19; health care provider; review; vaccine booster.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this study and had full freedom in conducting this investigation and preparing the manuscript.

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1. Jacobsen H., Sitaras I., Katzmarzyk M., Jiménez V.C., Naughton R., Higdon M.M., Knoll M.D. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the factors affecting waning of post-vaccination neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2. NPJ Vaccines. 2023;8:159. doi: 10.1038/s41541-023-00756-1. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Hornsby H., Nicols A.R., Longet S., Liu C., Tomic A., Angyal A., Kronsteiner B., Tyerman J.K., Tipton T., Zhang P., et al. Omicron infection following vaccination enhances a broad spectrum of immune responses dependent on infection history. Nat. Commun. 2023;14:5065. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-40592-4. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
1. Pérez-Alós L., Hansen C.B., Almagro Armenteros J.J., Madsen J.R., Heftdal L.D., Hasselbalch R.B., Pries-Heje M.M., Bayarri-Olmos R., Jarlhelt I., Hamm S.R., et al. Previous immunity shapes immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination and Omicron breakthrough infection risk. Nat. Commun. 2023;14:5624. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41342-2. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

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[1] Wei D., Yu X., Li Y., Chen Y., Chen E., Wang Y., Yang Z., Zhang X. Sequential reinfection with Omicron variants elicits broader neutralizing antibody profiles in booster vaccinees and reduces the duration of viral shedding. J. Med. Virol. 2023;95:e29151. doi: 10.1002/jmv.29151. - DOI - PubMed

[2] Wei D., Yu X., Li Y., Chen Y., Chen E., Wang Y., Yang Z., Zhang X. Sequential reinfection with Omicron variants elicits broader neutralizing antibody profiles in booster vaccinees and reduces the duration of viral shedding. J. Med. Virol. 2023;95:e29151. doi: 10.1002/jmv.29151. - DOI - PubMed

[3] Robert Koch Institut, COVID-19-Impfempfehlung (Stand 11.01.2024) [(accessed on 31 January 2024)]. Available online: https://www.rki.de/SharedDocs/FAQ/COVID-Impfen/FAQ_Liste_STIKO_Empfehlun....

[4] Robert Koch Institut, COVID-19-Impfempfehlung (Stand 11.01.2024) [(accessed on 31 January 2024)]. Available online: https://www.rki.de/SharedDocs/FAQ/COVID-Impfen/FAQ_Liste_STIKO_Empfehlun....

[5] Jacobsen H., Sitaras I., Katzmarzyk M., Jiménez V.C., Naughton R., Higdon M.M., Knoll M.D. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the factors affecting waning of post-vaccination neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2. NPJ Vaccines. 2023;8:159. doi: 10.1038/s41541-023-00756-1. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[6] Jacobsen H., Sitaras I., Katzmarzyk M., Jiménez V.C., Naughton R., Higdon M.M., Knoll M.D. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the factors affecting waning of post-vaccination neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2. NPJ Vaccines. 2023;8:159. doi: 10.1038/s41541-023-00756-1. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[7] Hornsby H., Nicols A.R., Longet S., Liu C., Tomic A., Angyal A., Kronsteiner B., Tyerman J.K., Tipton T., Zhang P., et al. Omicron infection following vaccination enhances a broad spectrum of immune responses dependent on infection history. Nat. Commun. 2023;14:5065. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-40592-4. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[8] Hornsby H., Nicols A.R., Longet S., Liu C., Tomic A., Angyal A., Kronsteiner B., Tyerman J.K., Tipton T., Zhang P., et al. Omicron infection following vaccination enhances a broad spectrum of immune responses dependent on infection history. Nat. Commun. 2023;14:5065. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-40592-4. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[9] Pérez-Alós L., Hansen C.B., Almagro Armenteros J.J., Madsen J.R., Heftdal L.D., Hasselbalch R.B., Pries-Heje M.M., Bayarri-Olmos R., Jarlhelt I., Hamm S.R., et al. Previous immunity shapes immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination and Omicron breakthrough infection risk. Nat. Commun. 2023;14:5624. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41342-2. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

[10] Pérez-Alós L., Hansen C.B., Almagro Armenteros J.J., Madsen J.R., Heftdal L.D., Hasselbalch R.B., Pries-Heje M.M., Bayarri-Olmos R., Jarlhelt I., Hamm S.R., et al. Previous immunity shapes immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination and Omicron breakthrough infection risk. Nat. Commun. 2023;14:5624. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41342-2. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

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Current German Recommendations and International Research on the Use of COVID-19 Boosters among Health Care Providers in 2024: A Narrative Review

Affiliations

Current German Recommendations and International Research on the Use of COVID-19 Boosters among Health Care Providers in 2024: A Narrative Review

Authors

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Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

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