EU health ministers consider fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose

pharmafile | January 21, 2022 | News story | Medical Communications  

European Union health ministers will try to find a common line on Friday over a potential fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines, following a surge in cases caused by the Omicron variant, according to Reuters.

The EU drugs regulator expressed that it would be reasonable to administer a fourth dose to people with severely weakened immune systems, but further evidence is needed to support this. Ministers are expected to discuss “the administration of the fourth dose,” according to a press release issued by the French presidency of the EU.

Denmark and Hungary have already decided to roll out a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Copenhagen said that it administer these jabs to the most vulnerable, and the Hungarian government said everybody could receive it after a consultation with a doctor.

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Israel also began a rollout of fourth doses in December 2021, making it the first country to administer the so-called second booster.

Wealthier countries have decided to accelerate the rollout of third doses, following a wave of new causes caused by the Omicron variant. Many countries still believe that there is further evidence needed to support the rollout of a fourth vaccine dose.

Vaccines adapted to Omicron could be ready as early as March, but the EU drugs regulator has expressed that it is not yet clear whether these are needed. Multivalent vaccines are also under development, and these could protect against multiple variants, but it is not yet certain when or if they could become available, as reported by Reuters.

Lina Adams

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