SHARE
COPY LINK

COVID-19 VACCINES

EU approves new dual-strain Covid vaccines in time for autumn booster campaigns

The European Medicines Agency has approved two new Covid vaccines that are designed to protect against both the original strain of the virus and the new Omicron variants.

EU approves new dual-strain Covid vaccines in time for autumn booster campaigns
Photo by Pascal POCHARD-CASABIANCA / AFP

Both Pfizer and Moderna had submitted applications for their dual-strain vaccines to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in mid-July, with the agency announcing on Thursday that both had been approved.

The vaccines target both the Omicron variant and the original strain of Covid, but do not specifically target the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants that have emerged as the global dominant strains in recent months.

The EMA approval comes after the US approved both vaccines on Wednesday, while the UK approved the Moderna dual-strain vaccine in mid-August.

Within the EU, countries have the choice of accepting the EMA recommendation straight out, or asking their own domestic health regulator to give its approval.

The dual-strain vaccines are widely expected to be used in Covid booster shot campaigns this autumn, which many countries plan to combine with the annual flu vaccination drive. 

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

HEALTH

Denmark to offer Covid and influenza booster vaccines to over-65s

People over the age of 65 in Denmark will be offered booster vaccines against both Covid-19 and influenza from October.

Denmark to offer Covid and influenza booster vaccines to over-65s

Danish residents over the age of 65 will be offered a Covid booster vaccine for the third year this autumn, with an influenza booster also available at the point of service.

The autumn vaccination campaign was announced by Danske Regioner, the national organisation for the regional health authorities, in a statement on Tuesday.

An invitation for the vaccines will be sent to eligible persons via the secure digital mail service e-Boks, or by physical letter, the health authority said.

Vaccinations can be given at pharmacies and regional vaccination centres from October 1st and will remain available until January 15th next year.

“it must be easy for Danes [people who live in Denmark, ed.] to be vaccinated and the opening times and geographical distribution of pharmacies will help with that. I’m therefore pleased that they will be helping us to fulfil the task of vaccination against influenza and Covid-19 that begins this autumn,” Danske Regioner chairperson Anders Kühnau said in the statement.

The website vacciner.dk can be used to check your nearest location for vaccination.

SHOW COMMENTS