Expansion of Stiko's Recommendation for COVID-19 Vaccine Includes a New Supplier from South Korea: Could This Bring Fresh Opportunities for BioNTech, Moderna, and Others?
Rewritten Article:
The number of reported COVID-19 cases has seen a significant decrease, as per the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The nationwide seven-day incidence has dropped by a staggering 18% compared to the previous week, according to RKI's latest weekly report, covering the period from August 8 to August 14. The number of registered new COVID-19 cases stood at 356 per 100,000 inhabitants during this period.
Despite this decline, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) advises a fourth COVID-19 vaccination for individuals aged 60 and above. Furthermore, a booster shot is recommended for those aged five and above with underlying health conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 courses. According to the RKI, for booster vaccinations, an mRNA vaccine developed by BioNTech, Pfizer, and Moderna should be the preferred choice, provided that a minimum interval of six months has been maintained since the last infection or vaccination.
Interestingly, the independent vaccine advisory body of the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended administering a second COVID-19 booster shot to the elderly for the first time.
The South Korean company SK Bioscience has introduced a new vaccine that contains the tiniest fragments of the coronavirus's spike protein. After vaccination, the body should recognize these proteins as foreign invaders and generate antibodies and T cells. This new vaccine's effectiveness against the omicron variant remains uncertain at this time.
Currently, six vaccines against COVID-19 are approved in the EU. However, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is still analyzing the data for adapted preparations designed for virus variants. The decision on these adapted preparations is yet to be made.
In US markets, shares of BioNTech dropped by approximately three percent to 146.76 euros on Friday. Despite this dip, private bank Berenberg remains optimistic about BioNTech. Although the price target was recently revised down to 312 US dollars following the Q2 figures released on August 8, the rating remains "Buy." Analyst Zhiqiang Shu contends that the biotech company remains on track to meet the revenue target for COVID-19 products. However, revenue in the second quarter fell short of expectations. The order books are expected to fill up again once new booster vaccines are approved, which is expected to happen in September.
BOERSE ONLINE also views the BioNTech share as a worthwhile investment and has recently set a price target of 210 euros. This suggests a potential increase of approximately 44% from the current price level. mmr with dpa and rtr
Disclaimer: The editor-in-chief, Mr. Frank Pöpsel, has directly and indirectly taken positions in the financial instruments mentioned in the publication or derivatives thereof, which could benefit from the price development resulting from the publication.
The CEO and majority shareholder of the publisher Boerse-Medien AG (parent company of boerse-online.de), Mr. Bernd Foertsch, has directly and indirectly taken positions in the following financial instruments mentioned in the publication or related derivatives, which could benefit from the potential price development resulting from the publication: BioNTech.
Enrichment Data:
The current COVID-19 booster vaccination recommendations vary depending on country and health authority. However, several key themes emerge from recent guidance by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) in Germany, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Robert Koch Institute (RKI) / Stiko (Germany)
- The RKI and Stiko recommend COVID-19 booster vaccines primarily for individuals at higher risk of severe disease, such as older adults (generally from 60 or 65 years and above), residents of long-term care facilities, and those with underlying health conditions that increase risk.
- For the general population, routine boosters are not universally recommended every season but may be advised based on individual risk factors and epidemiological developments.
- Immunocompromised individuals are advised to receive additional doses, including primary series and boosters, due to their increased vulnerability.
- Pregnant women are also considered a risk group for whom vaccination is recommended to protect both mother and infant.
WHO
- WHO guidance emphasizes booster doses for high-risk groups worldwide, including older adults, those with comorbidities, healthcare workers, and other populations at elevated risk or exposure.
- WHO supports the approach of tailoring booster campaigns to risk profiles rather than universal, annual vaccination for all age groups, especially considering evolving global epidemiology and vaccine availability.
U.S. CDC
- For the 2024–2025 and upcoming 2025–2026 seasons, the CDC currently recommends annual COVID-19 vaccine doses for everyone aged 6 months and older.
- However, there is ongoing discussion and a likely shift toward risk-based recommendations rather than universal vaccination.
- Proposed policy options include:
- Maintaining universal COVID-19 vaccination for everyone aged ≥6 months.
- Restricting routine booster recommendation to those at increased risk of severe disease (e.g., age ≥65 years, underlying medical conditions, immunocompromised).
- A combined approach recommending universal vaccination for adults ≥65 years and risk-based vaccination for younger groups.
- Persons aged 65 and older are generally recommended to receive two doses per year, with the possibility of more doses depending on vaccination history and immune status.
- Moderately to severely immunocompromised persons should receive an initial vaccine series if unvaccinated, followed by two doses per year; additional boosters can be considered based on clinical decision-making
- Pregnancy is recognized as a factor for booster vaccination due to protection benefits for both mother and infant.
In conclusion, the trend among these authorities is moving toward focusing COVID-19 booster vaccinations on populations at highest risk of severe outcomes and those with higher exposure, such as older adults, immunocompromised persons, and healthcare workers. Universal booster recommendations for all age groups remain in place in some guidelines (e.g., CDC), but there is active consideration for shifting to a risk-based strategy going forward. The RKI and Stiko align with this risk-based approach, emphasizing vaccines primarily for vulnerable groups.
- Given the recent decrease in COVID-19 cases and the changing epidemiological landscape, the science of immunology and health-and-wellness becomes crucial in determining booster vaccine recommendations. For instance, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) in Germany primarily recommend booster vaccines for older adults and individuals with underlying health conditions.
- As global health authorities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), pillar their advice on booster doses for high-risk groups worldwide, understanding the science behind which strategies are most effective for these groups can ensure better health outcomes and success in managing the pandemic.
