The EU medicines agency EMA has cleared the way for the approval of a corona vaccine from manufacturer Moderna that has been adapted to two ommicron variants. The Spikevax preparation works against the original coronavirus and the two sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5, the EMA announced on Wednesday evening in Amsterdam. So far, three corona vaccines adapted to variants of the virus have been approved in the EU.
The EMA experts recommend the modified vaccine as a protection booster for people aged 12 years and older. It is the second modified Spikevax vaccine to be approved. In September, a preparation adapted to Omikron subvariant BA.1 was approved. The experts expect that the modified vaccines will increase protection against infection. The European Commission has yet to formally approve the approval. But that is considered a formality.
Hard to predict dominant virus variants
According to the EMA, the EU wants to have a wide range of modified vaccines that target different corona variants. In this way, Member States should have different options for planning their vaccination campaigns. “This is a key element in the overall strategy in the fight against the pandemic, as it is not possible to predict how the virus will develop in the future and which variants will circulate this winter.”
According to the EMA, the original drug Spikevax remains effective. It prevents severe courses of Covid-19, hospitalization and death.
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.
