The Commission has authorised the Comirnaty XBB.1.5-adapted COVID-19 vaccine, developed by BioNTech-Pfizer. This vaccine marks another important milestone in the fight against the disease. It is the third adaptation of this vaccine to respond to new COVID-19 variants. The vaccine is authorised for adults, children and infants above 6 months. In line with previous recommendations by EMA […]
EU-funded project aims to develop a vaccine against metastatic cells
Clinical trials of a new prototype vaccine designed to selectively target and eradicate the early spread of cancer cells represent another step in the fight against cancer. While most cancer treatments focus on treating the primary tumour, the leading cause of cancer death is metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumour to […]
HERA secures up to 2 million doses of the monkeypox vaccine
The Commission’s Health Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), has signed a Joint Procurement Framework contract with the company Bavarian Nordic, for the supply of up to 2 million doses of the monkeypox vaccine in the course of 2023 and 2024. This offers 14 participating countries the possibility to purchase doses to address their medium- and […]
High monkeypox vaccine acceptance among male users of smartphone-based online gay-dating apps in Europe
Male adult users of smartphone-based online gay dating apps in the European region have high acceptance of monkeypox (MPX) vaccination. At the same time, there are specific groups with a high degree of vaccine hesitancy to whom campaigns should be tailored. Here, public health providers together with community-based organisations play an important role. This is […]
ECDC-EMA statement on booster vaccination with Omicron adapted bivalent COVID-19 vaccines
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have issued a joint statement providing updated public health considerations on the use of the newly authorised adapted COVID-19 vaccines to support the planning of the autumn and winter vaccination campaigns. The EU has recently extended its arsenal with two new updated vaccines, Comirnaty […]
Health Union: HERA additional vaccine doses monkeypox
HERA, the Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, has secured an additional 170,920 doses of Bavarian Nordic’s 3rd generation vaccine to respond to the ongoing monkeypox outbreak and to meet the more immediate needs. This brings the total number of doses directly purchased by the EU to 334,540 for Member States. These additional doses will be available […]
Commission rallies Member States to prepare for autumn and winter
The Commission is proposing concrete measures to avoid a surge of COVID-19 cases in the upcoming autumn and winter season. The Commission is urging Member States to put the necessary strategies and structures in place, including for COVID-19 vaccination and surveillance, to respond to future outbreaks in a fast and sustained manner. The main aim of […]
First adapted COVID-19 booster vaccines recommended for approval in the EU
EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has recommended authorising two vaccines adapted to provide broader protection against COVID-19. Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.1 and Spikevax Bivalent Original/Omicron BA.1 are for use in people aged 12 years and above who have received at least primary vaccination against COVID-19. These vaccines are adapted versions of the original vaccines Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) […]
EMA advises on intradermal use of Imvanex / Jynneos against monkeypox
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has advised on intradermal use of monkeypox vaccine. EMA’s Emergency Task Force (ETF) has reviewed data showing that people who receive the monkeypox vaccine as an intradermal injection (injection into the skin) produce similar levels of antibodies to those who receive it as a subcutaneous injection (injection under the skin). As only […]