Europe takes cover before the new variants of Covid-19. The European Commission has given the go-ahead to adapting the vaccine BionTech-Pfizer against the new subvariant of coronavirus ómicron XBB.1.
“The vaccine is authorized for adults, children and infants over 6 months of age,” the Community Executive explained in a statement, recalling that it is the third update of the prophylactic.
It is also expected that the update of the vaccine used under the trade name of Comirnaty “increase the breadth of immunity” against current dominant and emerging variants.
Following the guidelines of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)adults and children 5 years and older who require vaccination “should receive a single dose, regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination history,” the Commission added.
The authorization comes after a “rigorous evaluation” by the EMA, under the accelerated evaluation mechanism so that Member States have time to prepare for the autumn-winter vaccination campaign.