The European Medicines Agency said that the two improved vaccines were upgraded based on the Comirnaty vaccine produced by the American Pfizer Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and the German biotechnology company and the Spikevax vaccine produced by the American Moderna company. In addition to the new coronavirus strain, it can also act on the spike protein of the mutant new coronavirus Omicron strain BA.1.
Studies have shown that vaccination with an improved version of the vaccine 3 months after the initial vaccination can stimulate a strong immune response against the BA. On the one hand, it is more effective than the initial vaccine. Side effects of the improved vaccine are comparable to those of the original vaccine and are usually mild and short-lived.
The agency said marketing recommendations for the two improved vaccines would be submitted to the European Commission for final approval.
The European Medicines Agency explained that with the development of the new crown epidemic, the EU’s strategy is to provide a series of improved vaccines against multiple new coronavirus mutant strains, so that member states can have multiple options when formulating vaccination strategies. Given the inability to predict how the virus will mutate in the future and which mutated strains will be prevalent this winter, this strategy is critical to the EU’s overall strategy to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
The European Medicines Agency also stated that improved vaccines against Omicron subtype strains such as BA.4 and BA.5 are currently being tested, and some will be submitted soon, and if approved, will further expand the available vaccine resources .
The European Medicines Agency said that the current Comirnaty and Spikevax vaccines remain effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death related to the new coronavirus and will continue to be used for vaccinations in the EU, especially as initial vaccinations.