The American vaccine manufacturer Moderna will probably submit an application for approval of a new corona vaccine to the European Medicines Agency EMA before the summer. This was announced on Thursday after a meeting between Economic Affairs Minister Margarete Schramböck (ÖVP) and board representatives of the Cambridge (US)-based company.
Approval can then be granted in the autumn if the EU drugs authority deems it appropriate, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Thursday. From Sunday to Wednesday, Schramböck was with an Austrian business delegation in the US, where numerous discussions took place with representatives from politics and business.
Schramböck wants to expand cooperation with the US in technology and pharmaceuticals in order to further reduce dependence on countries such as Russia or China in view of the latest developments (war, supply problems, etc.).
Tests with new combination vaccine
In the fight against the coronavirus, Moderna will already start research into a booster vaccine in March: this combines the previously used vaccine with a vaccine for the omicron variant that is currently under development. This is a booster vaccination product. The company had already started a clinical trial in January of a vaccine specifically tailored for the Omicron variant.
Emergency approval requested for second booster
In mid-March, Moderna also filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency approval for a second Covid-19 booster vaccination for adults. According to the company, the application was open to anyone over the age of 18, so health authorities could determine the appropriate use of a second booster vaccination — for example, for people who were at higher risk of contracting coronavirus because of their age or previous illness.
Due to the new Covid waves that are expected or feared from the autumn, the Moderna competition is of course also working on the further development of vaccines. According to experts, combined flu and corona vaccines could also come on the market in a few years.
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.
