FAQ's Repeat vaccination

What is the difference between the repeat vaccination and the booster vaccination?

The repeat vaccination is a booster vaccination. Its purpose is to increase the protection we have already built up against the virus. We use the term repeat vaccination because this clearly indicates that the vaccination may be repeated regularly, just as a flu shot is. On Bonaire we will be using the repeat vaccination from Pfizer.

Who may get the repeat vaccination against coronavirus?

Anyone aged 12 and older may get the repeat vaccination. But for some people it is important that they have the repeat vaccination as soon as possible. This concerns people aged 60 and over, or people who have had a serious illness all their lives. They will be the first to be invited for the repeat vaccination. On Bonaire we will start to vaccinate people aged 80 and over and residents of nursing homes. After that, people aged 60 and over will be invited to be vaccinated. Once these groups have been vaccinated, people aged 12 and over will be able to get the repeat vaccination. You may only receive your repeat vaccination if you have had your last coronavirus vaccination at least three months ago. If you have had a coronavirus infection you may only get the repeat vaccination at least three months after you were infected.

Why will the elderly and people with a serious illness be the first to get the repeat vaccination?

The protection offered by a coronavirus vaccination may decrease over time, especially in older people. After a coronavirus vaccination, the body produces substances to protect against the virus. These substances are called antibodies. Compared to young people, older people’s bodies produce fewer antibodies after a coronavirus vaccination. As a result, the elderly are less well protected. This is the reason why this group is first in line for the vaccinations. Patients with serious underlying illnesses are more at risk of becoming severely ill from the coronavirus if they become infected. That is why they are also the first to receive the repeat vaccination. There are no coronavirus measures at the moment, but that does not mean that the virus has gone. It remains important to continue to protect yourself against the virus.

I have had coronavirus after my last vaccination. Can I get the repeat vaccination?

Yes. You may get the repeat vaccination three months after an infection with coronavirus.

Which vaccine is used for the repeat vaccination against coronavirus?

We use the updated mRNA vaccine by Pfizer.

The Pfizer repeat vaccination contains an updated vaccine. What does that mean?

The updated mRNA vaccine, made by Pfizer, has been adapted to offer better protection against new variants of the coronavirus. It protects against the earlier variants of coronavirus as well as against the current Omicron variant. The repeat vaccination, i.e. the updated coronavirus vaccination, is expected to protect you more effectively so that you do not become seriously ill if you become infected. The repeat vaccination also reduces the risk of hospitalization. Compared to the coronavirus vaccinations you received before, you will now be better protected.

Will an updated vaccine be needed for every variant of the coronavirus?

We do not know yet. That depends on whether new variants of the coronavirus emerge and whether these variants differ significantly from the Omicron variant. It also depends on how ill these new variants make people.

Is the repeat vaccination with the updated vaccine safe?

Yes. Research has shown that the repeat vaccination is safe. Research has also shown that people who receive repeat vaccinations may subsequently experience the same side-effects as they did from their previous coronavirus vaccinations. These side-effects may include: a sore arm, fatigue, some fever or one day of feeling poorly.

How effective is the updated vaccine in the repeat vaccination?

We do not know yet exactly how effective the updated vaccine will be. But the first tests indicate that it offers improved protection. The repeat vaccination with the updated vaccine is expected to provide better protection, especially to vulnerable people, so that they don't fall ill or do not become seriously ill if they become infected.

I have never had a coronavirus vaccination before. Can I still get the new coronavirus vaccination?

No. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has decided to authorize the updated coronavirus vaccination only for people who have already had the two basic coronavirus vaccinations. It has also been decided that the updated coronavirus vaccine is intended for people aged 12 and older.

May I get the repeat vaccination against coronavirus and the flu vaccination at the same time?

Yes, you may receive the flu vaccination and the repeat vaccination against coronavirus at the same time. You may also receive the two vaccinations in quick succession of each other if you prefer. Your family doctor will administer the flu vaccination. Please refer to www.bonairegov.com for the schedule of times for the repeat vaccination together with the vaccination locations.   

Will the coronavirus vaccine still be effective if there is more time between vaccinations?

Yes, your body is able to defend itself better against the virus if there is a longer time between two vaccinations. For this reason there should be at least three months between vaccinations. It is advisable that you get the repeat vaccination at least three months after the last coronavirus vaccination.

Does a repeat vaccination provide sufficient protection against the Omicron variant?

A repeat vaccination ensures that your body produces a lot of specific substances in a short time frame, which help to defend against the virus. We call these substances antibodies. Your body has already built up an immune response against the virus because of your previous coronavirus vaccinations. However, so far people’s immune systems have not been recognizing the Omicron variant of the virus as easily as the other variants. With the updated repeat vaccination, your body will be better equipped to recognize the Omicron variant of the virus and the virus will have less chance of escaping your body’s defenses.

Is it safe if my repeat vaccination is a different brand than the coronavirus vaccinations that I had before?

Yes. On Bonaire we use the repeat vaccination from Pfizer.  It does not matter which vaccine was used for previous vaccinations. If your previous coronavirus vaccinations were from Moderna, AstraZeneca or Janssen you can still safely get the repeat vaccination from Pfizer.

I have had coronavirus and I have been vaccinated twice. Do I still need a repeat vaccination?

Even if you have had coronavirus you can still get a repeat vaccination. This is possible from at least three months after your last vaccination or three months after a coronavirus infection (after your last vaccination). After the repeat vaccination you will be better protected against getting ill if you become infected. It will also be less likely that you will infect the people around you. If you are less likely to get COVID-19, then you are also less likely to get LONG COVID. With LONG-COVID, people continue to suffer from symptoms long after their infection.

First I had coronavirus and after that I received one vaccination. May I also get the repeat vaccination?

Yes. If you had coronavirus, and after that one vaccination, that equates to having had two coronavirus vaccinations. You may get a repeat vaccination at least three months after that one vaccination.

I only had one vaccination and then I contracted coronavirus. Will I also get a repeat vaccination?

Only if you had the Janssen vaccine -which is a single-dose vaccine. If you had a first vaccination with a different vaccine and after that contracted coronavirus, you will first need to get the second vaccination. This second vaccination will then complete the basic series of COVID-19 vaccinations.  After that, you will need to wait at least three months before getting a repeat vaccination. This applies to everyone aged 12 years and older.

How long does it take for a repeat vaccination to be effective after you have been vaccinated?

 The repeat vaccination starts to be effective seven days after vaccination.

What are the possible side effects of a repeat vaccination?

Side effects may occur after the repeat vaccination just as they may occur after other vaccinations such as the flu shot.

After the repeat vaccination many people may have side effects such as fever, headache and fatigue. The Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb  in the Netherlands monitors the side effects that people report after their coronavirus vaccination. Lareb publishes this data on its website. 

Do I have to wait for 15 minutes at the vaccination center after I am vaccinated?

Yes, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend a waiting or observation time of 15 minutes after the coronavirus vaccination. This applies to all coronavirus vaccinations, including the repeat vaccination.

I may have had an allergic reaction to a coronavirus vaccination. May I get the repeat vaccination?

Please contact your family doctor. The family doctor will determine whether you may receive the repeat vaccination at the vaccination location. He may also refer you to Fundashon Mariadal. At Fundashon Mariadal the doctors will then determine whether you may get the repeat vaccination or not.

I am pregnant. May I get the repeat vaccination?

Yes, you may. Pregnant women are more at risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 than women who are not pregnant. This may have consequences for you and your child. That is why pregnant women are advised to get vaccinated. Research has shown that Pfizer's repeat vaccination is safe for pregnant women and their unborn children.

I have had COVID-19 and I have received two or more coronavirus vaccinations. Do I need the repeat vaccination?

Yes. The protection of the coronavirus vaccinations decreases over time. This means that there is a growing risk that you might become seriously ill if you are infected, or that you will continue to have symptoms long after your infection.  This is also called Long Covid. The repeat vaccination will give you better protection against COVID-19.

I have been vaccinated with Janssen/Moderna/AstraZeneca. Is it safe to get the repeat vaccination?

Yes. It does not matter which vaccine you have receive before a repeat vaccination with Pfizer. But you must have had two coronavirus vaccinations with Moderna or AstraZeneca. If you have received only one coronavirus vaccination with these brands, then you must first get the second coronavirus vaccination in order to complete your basic series.  You may then get the repeat vaccination at least three months after the second vaccination.

Does the repeat vaccination offer effective protection against the Omicron variant of the virus?

Yes. The repeat vaccination is an updated vaccine. It protects you against multiple variants of the coronavirus, including the Omicron variant. The repeat vaccination helps your immune system to better recognize this omicron variant and thus to protect you even better.

Will a coronavirus vaccination also protect me if I wait longer than three months before I get the next vaccination?

Yes. It is often better for your immune system if there is a longer period of time between two vaccinations. You should, therefore, stick to the interval of at least three months between vaccinations.