European Medicines Agency recommends BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for adolescents
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Very good news especially for adolescents suffering from pre-existing conditions / To offer vaccination for 12- to 15-year-olds correct / Necessary to monitor data from the USA very closely
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has just announced that it recommends the approval of BioNTech/Pfizer's vaccine for 12- to 15-year-old adolescents. The subsequent official approval by the European Commission is also expected later today. This means that it can also be used in the EU with immediate effect. The vaccine is the same one that is already used for people over 16. EPP-MEP Peter Liese, who worked in a paediatric clinic before being elected to the Parliament, welcomed the decision.
"In conversations with EMA chief Emer Cooke and her staff I have continuously promoted the idea to prioritise this decision without compromising on safety. In particular young people with pre-existing conditions such as Down's syndrome, severe respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis, heart defects and severe obesity need the vaccination as soon as possible. This can and should be done as of now. The question of whether healthy adolescents between 12 and 15 should be vaccinated, should be carefully considered by the adolescents themselves and the parents in consultation with paediatricians and adolescent doctors.
Read more: European Medicines Agency recommends BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine for adolescents
Concrete results instead of theoretical debates
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European Commission and vaccine manufacturers commit to providing vaccines to developing countries even faster
"It is important that the G20 Health Summit delivered concrete results and that as many people as possible around the world have the chance to be vaccinated," said the health spokesperson of the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), Dr. Peter Liese. "The summit is overshadowed by the question of whether or not vaccine patents should be lifted.
The idea is supported by South Africa, India and recently also by the USA. However, the EU Member States and the European Commission are sceptical. In view of the pictures from India, it is clear that we must help quickly and a waiver of the patent rights must not be a taboo. But it is clear that intellectual property is important to support medical progress. I am convinced that BioNTech's vaccine would probably not exist if, in addition to the EU and federal governments, venture capitalists had not supported the technology and vaccine development in recent years. Moreover, the technology of the mRNA vaccine is so complicated that even if the patent was published, there would not be more vaccine available in the next few months. That is why I support the European Commission's policy.
I am convinced that EMA will approve the Covid-19 vaccine of BioNTech for 12- to 15-year-olds
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Risk groups among youngster should be vaccinated as soon as possible / No vaccination of youngsters and children to allow adults more freedom
“I strongly expect a positive recommendation of the EMA for the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19 for 12 to 15-year old youngsters“, said Peter Liese, EPP MEP and doctor who worked in the paediatric department of a hospital before being elected into the European Parliament. Liese said that the EMA has enough data to approve the vaccine for this age group and that he had encouraged the EMA’s Executive Director, Emer Cooke, to prioritize the decision without compromising on any diligence or safety precautions.
“Youngsters that belong to a risk group due to being affected by the down’s syndrome, serious lung diseases like cystic fibrosis, cardiac failure or severe obesity must be vaccinated as soon as possible because they have a higher risk to have a serious condition when infected. The question if other youngsters should be vaccinated must be discussed carefully, because although the risk for completely healthy youngsters is much lower than for elderly citizens, the risk still exists. Achieving herd immunity and allowing adults more freedoms should not be the motivation to vaccinate children. Herd immunity (or, as I prefer to say, community immunity) should be achieved by vaccinating as many adults as possible. We need to keep schools open and prioritize education even if children are not vaccinated”, Liese concluded.
Very good news for youngsters and family, especially for risk groups
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EMA to speed up procedure
"This is very good news for youngsters and their families and especially for young people who belong to risk groups including youngsters with serious lung disease, cancer or Down’s syndrome. Those should be vaccinated as soon as possible“, this was the reaction of the health spokesperson of the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats) Dr. med. Peter Liese after the FDA announced its approval of the BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year old youngsters.
The EMA originally planned the approval only for June. “I am very happy that the head of EMA Emer Cooke announced now that approval is possible this month. Last week I had the opportunity to talk to Emer Cooke and urged her for prioritizing this procedure. Of course, safety is essential, especially when it comes to children and youngsters. However, it is also a question of priorities. EMA is able to grant the original market licensing two weeks after receiving the application. That has been done for the approval of AstraZeneca, for example. I think that young people should be a priority for all of us”, said the doctor and MEP.