Vaccines developed to target the new Omicron coronavirus variant could be approved in three to four months if needed, the chief of the European Union's drug regulator said on Tuesday.
Although vaccines so far had proven "effective against the circulating variants," there is a need to "understand whether or not this will be the case" with Omicron, Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), told the European Parliament.
A two-week laboratory testing process must first take place to establish whether the current crop of vaccines provide protection against Omicron, Cooke said.
Health officials will also have to consider how the European situation compares to that of South Africa, Cooke said, pointing to the EU's older population, higher vaccine uptake and booster rollout as key factors.
If there is a need to change the current vaccines, companies will then have to adapt their formulations to include the new sequencing, Cooke said. She added that the EMA is working with drug companies and other regulators to ensure they are "as prepared and ready as possible" .
Were there a need to change the existing vaccines, we could be in a position to have those approved within three to four months," Cooke said.
Cooke also stressed "that the current vaccines provide protection."
She also reinforced the importance of pushing forward with the booster rollout across the bloc so that those eligible for the additional protection receive it.
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Although vaccines so far had proven "effective against the circulating variants," there is a need to "understand whether or not this will be the case" with Omicron, Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), told the European Parliament.
A two-week laboratory testing process must first take place to establish whether the current crop of vaccines provide protection against Omicron, Cooke said.
Health officials will also have to consider how the European situation compares to that of South Africa, Cooke said, pointing to the EU's older population, higher vaccine uptake and booster rollout as key factors.
If there is a need to change the current vaccines, companies will then have to adapt their formulations to include the new sequencing, Cooke said. She added that the EMA is working with drug companies and other regulators to ensure they are "as prepared and ready as possible" .
Were there a need to change the existing vaccines, we could be in a position to have those approved within three to four months," Cooke said.
Cooke also stressed "that the current vaccines provide protection."
She also reinforced the importance of pushing forward with the booster rollout across the bloc so that those eligible for the additional protection receive it.
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