In view of the upcoming decision by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on adapted corona vaccines, Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) advised waiting for the new vaccines when vaccinating against the virus. “Now it really makes sense to wait a few days for the new vaccine to be available,” said Lauterbach on Thursday in the ARD “Morgenmagazin”.
Both new vaccines adapted to the omicron variant offer “very good protection” against old and new virus variants. They contained parts of the old vaccine plus parts that protected against the omicron variants.
Lauterbach described the fact that old vaccines are now expiring as a “luxury problem”. Vaccination can be offered to anyone who wants it. “First of all, I’m grateful that this enormous scientific leap forward has been achieved,” said Lauterbach. The new vaccines offer protection against every known variant and probably also protect against infection.
According to its own statements, Lauterbach is in discussion with the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko). A week after the approval of the new vaccine, the panel will make a recommendation.
A decision by the EMA on the approval of corona vaccines adapted to the omicron variant in the EU is expected on Thursday or Friday. Applications for vaccines against the omicron subtype BA.1 have been submitted by the Mainz-based biotechnology company Biontech and its US partner Pfizer, as well as by the US pharmaceutical company Moderna.
According to Lauterbach’s plans, the new vaccines should be delivered next week after approval. Even if the new vaccines are tailored to the BA.1 variant, they are also effective against other omicron variants, Lauterbach explained in a letter to the service providers of the vaccination campaign at the beginning of the week.
Another new vaccine adapted to the Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5 will “be available just a few weeks later,” the letter also said.
Karl Lauterbach prepares the Germans for a “difficult Corona autumn”. In the Health Committee of the Bundestag, experts discuss new measures. “There are points that are scientifically incomprehensible,” says virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit.
Source: WORLD
