SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been mutating and resulting in different variants, with Ómicron being one of the most contagious and continuing to spread throughout the world in its different subvariants, which is why it is require adapted vaccines that can combat these new threats. If a few days ago the EMA announced its authorization for the first vaccines adapted to the BA.1 variant, earlier this week the European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave free rein to the one developed by Pfizer-BioNTech against BA.4 and BA.5, which was subsequently approved by the European Commission.
This vaccine, which has received the green light to be used in Europe, should be used as a booster dose for all the previous ones. Both the EMA and the European Commission recommend that this injection be administered to combat the BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of omicron, which are the ones currently in circulation throughout the world.
Has been Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, who announced last Monday the approval of this vaccine by the EC, which can be administered within the European Union. In addition, the Agency has revealed that this drug joins the previous ones in the work of protecting citizens from COVID-19 and that it will be very useful in the face of the new waves of infections that are expected due to the arrival of the cold.
Who will receive the adapted vaccine against omicron BA.4-5?
As they have announced, this bivalent vaccine, also of the mRNA type, called Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5, may be administered to people over 12 years of age who have already received the primary cycle of vaccination against coronavirus, that is, two doses.
The clinical data of this vaccine have been obtained in the laboratory and in animals, however, the EMA has declared that it received its approval due to the research carried out in humans on its drug for BA.1. Vaccine results in people for the BA.4 and BA.5 omicron variant are expected to come out later this year.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of ómicron will be administered to those over 12 years of age who have completed the complete vaccination schedule
On the other hand, Moderna is also developing a vaccine with the same objective, and although it obtained authorization in the United States – like that of Pfizer – it was with little clinical data. The conclusions of the Moderna vaccine in people are expected at the end of September.
“We know that COVID-19 is still a threat. That is why we have just authorized the booster dose of BioNTech and Pfizer against the current variants. Vaccination is still the best way to protect against COVID19”, explained Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
Together with the recently licensed Original/Omicron BA.1 adapted vaccine, this new adapted vaccine is expected to help maintain optimal protection against COVID-19 as the virus evolves.
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