The US health authority CDC and the EU commission have given the green light for new vaccines adapted to subtypes of the coronavirus. While booster vaccinations can now be started in the United States with the new vaccines tailored to the omicron subtypes BA.4 and BA.5, the EU is working on preparations that predate the original Sars-CoV-2 and pre-Protect omicron subline BA.1.
Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides announced the decision on Twitter on Friday. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) had previously issued a corresponding recommendation. Experts from the authority gave the green light to applications from Biontech/Pfizer and the American company Moderna on Thursday. According to Kyriakides, the committee made its decision a few hours later.
Booster would also give advantage against BA.5
A recommendation from the Permanent Vaccination Commission (Stiko) for Germany is still pending. Although BA.1 no longer plays a role in this country, experts believe that the new vaccines also have an advantage over the BA.5 subtype, which currently dominates. The sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 are currently worldwide and have caused the most recent corona waves in Europe and the US in recent months.
The vaccines that the US agency CDC has now recommended already target the omicron subtypes BA.4 and BA.5. “The updated Covid-19 boosters are designed to better protect against the latest circulating Covid-19 strain,” said CDC chief Rochelle Walensky. “They can help restore protection that has declined since the previous vaccination and are designed to provide broader protection against newer variants.”
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued emergency approvals on Wednesday. Before the start of the vaccinations, which is expected early next week, the green light from the GGD, which has now been given, was still missing.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
