A day after the FDA gave the green light to the release of updated vaccines against it COVID-19 and mainly during the variants of Omicron, the competent committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also came to light.
These are the Comirnaty and Spikevax vaccines from Prifer/BioNTech and Moderna, respectively. New vaccines have been developed against both the BA.1 variant of the Omicron mutation and against the original coronavirus strain.
According to the EMA, booster doses of the vaccine will be available to people over 12 years of age who have already taken initial doses.
unwanted actions observed in the new vaccines were comparable to the original ones and were mild and short-lived.
The EMA’s positive recommendation will be sent to the European Commission, which will make the final decision.
“As the pandemic evolves, the EU’s strategy is to have a wide range of tailored vaccines targeting different variants of SARS-CoV-2 so that Member States have many options to meet their needs when planning their vaccination strategies. This is a key element of the overall strategy to deal with the pandemic, as it is impossible to predict how the virus will evolve in the future and what variants will be released this winter. Other tailor-made vaccines that include different variants, such as sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5, are under consideration,” the EMA said in a statement.
‼️ EMA recommended authorizing first adapted COVID-19 #booster vaccine.
Komirnati and Spikevax vaccines adapted to the Omicron BA.1 subvariant will provide broader protection against #COVID-19.
➡️ https://t.co/6xcmoNRK5c pic.twitter.com/Lw7eqcG8dO
— EU Medicines Agency (@EMA_News) September 1, 2022
Kyriakidou: EMA opinions are important to protect Europeans
“Today’s positive findings by the European Medicines Agency on the first two mRNA-adapted vaccines from BioNTech-Pfizer and Moderna are important in protecting Europeans from the potential risk of autumn and winter waves of infections,” emphasizes the Commissioner for Health and Food. Safety Stella Kyriakidou added that “we must be prepared to face another winter with COVID-19.”
“Now we will start fast-tracking the approval of these vaccines to ensure their rapid release in the EU,” he adds.
The Commissioner stresses that “adapted versions of these vaccines should be used as booster doses targeting the parent virus and the Omicron BA.1 sub-variant. They have been designed to provide increased and broader protection against current and future options,” and states that “subject to the EMA’s scientific evaluation, we also expect opinions on the adapted Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 vaccines in the coming weeks as part of the expanded portfolio of vaccines that has characterized our work from the very beginning.”
“Together with the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), we acted quickly last spring to ensure that contracts are amended so that all Member States have access to adapted vaccines in the quantities needed in the fall and winter for protection of citizens. This is European cooperation and solidarity in action, the main principle of the EU vaccine strategy,” says Stella Kyriakidou.
In addition, he encourages “Member States to plan and launch their vaccination campaigns, including adapted vaccines.
“To support the efforts of Member States, the Commission will soon present actions on COVID-19 vaccination strategies and identify measures to prevent the coronavirus outbreak this autumn and winter,” he emphasizes.
Finally, Ms Kyriakidou states that “the pandemic is not over yet, but the rapid development and adaptation of vaccines to fight this virus is one of the greatest advances in modern medical history: let’s now take care to protect as many people as possible.” perhaps more, for us and our loved ones.”
Important positive feedback from @EMA_News on the first two #COVID-19 variant-tailored booster vaccines manufactured by BioNTech-Pfizer & Moderna.
They will increase the protection of our citizens in the autumn-winter period.
Our approval for the vaccine will be received shortly.
🧵https://t.co/ND7kKEMsyc— Stella Kyriakides (@SKyriakidesEU) September 1, 2022
Source: Kathimerini
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