What Is Next for COVID-19 Vaccination?

Abstract

Whenever a new COVID-19 vaccination season starts, we must face new challenges, including which vaccines to use, the update of the high-risk groups to be vaccinated, and especially the type and amount of information to be communicated to people in order to promote vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination recommendations should fit these specific conditions. The use of effective vaccines against the predominant SARS-CoV-2 virus variants and the extent of the immune response (waning immunity) are key aspects to try to protect better the high-risk populations. Updated vaccines are currently swiftly available. However, the number of people vaccinated with any additional booster dose is declining. Improved health information and training for health care professionals, together with the use of better tools to make simpler vaccination recommendations, can encourage higher vaccination rates. Addressing these challenges is essential to improve vaccination coverage and ensure adequate protection in the face of evolving COVID-19 threats. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has become a constant presence in our society. The virus changes but is neither endemic nor seasonal so far. The Omicron variant prevailed for nearly 2 years and now several of its subvariants like JN.1, KP.2, or XEC are or can be the dominant ones. In the face of this moving situation, the main message must be the same: COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. The role of current COVID-19 vaccination efforts is to mitigate the severity of the disease and reduce the risk of complications and death, instead of preventing most SARS-CoV-2 infections. New vaccines against COVID-19 are now at different stages of clinical research.