Given the increase in cases in children, the entity will decide whether to approve the Pfizer vaccine for the group of 5 to 11 years.
Europe must “close the gap” between vaccinated and unvaccinated against COVID-19 to stop the new wave of infections, Marco Cavaleri, head of strategy at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said yesterday.
“We are seeing an excessive number of cases (…) especially among the unvaccinated,” he said, lamenting that vaccination rates against the virus in some European countries are still “unacceptably low”.
“We have to close this gap and work to get as many people as possible vaccinated,” he added.
He recalled that “there is no 100% effective vaccine, and that the vaccines (available) have a very good efficacy in protecting against serious disease”, but that if many people become infected, “a few and even those vaccinated, will end up hospitalized” , pick up EFE.
“As we approach winter, we see the rise in infections and hospitalizations … We underline the need to get vaccinated and, for those who are eligible, receive a booster dose,” Cavaleri warned.
And in view of the growing number of cases in children, the EMA plans to decide next week whether to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
In addition, “in view of the critical situation that exists in many member states” of the European Union, the regulator will study the new pill against the coronavirus of Pfizer, which shows preliminary results “promising”, said Cavaleri.
The full review for the authorization of the drug is expected to begin next week, a process that could take months. The pill from the pharmaceutical giant Merck could be approved by the end of the year. (I)
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