People aged 12 years and above who have received at least a primary vaccination against covid-19 are deemed eligible for the adapted Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech) and Spikevax (Moderna) mRNA vaccines. These new version of the shot are modified to be more effective against the omicron BA.1 subvariant in addition to the original strain of the virus and work in the same way as their first iterations.
“Adapted vaccines can broaden protection against different variants and are therefore expected to help maintain optimal protection against COVID-19 as the virus evolves,” said the EU’s medical agency in an official statement.
Studies carried out by the EMA showed that the adapted Comirnaty and Spikevax shots were effective at triggering a response against the omicron variant and the observed side effects were similar to those seen in the original versions of the vaccines.
“As the pandemic evolves, the EU’s strategy is to have a broad range of adapted vaccines that target different SARS-CoV-2 variants so Member States have a plurality of options to meet their needs when they design their vaccination strategies. This is a key element in the overall strategy to combat the pandemic as it is not possible to predict how the virus will evolve in the future,” stated the EMA.
The agency underlines that the original covid vaccines produced by Pfizar/BioNTech and Moderna are still effective against the virus. It added that “the mRNA molecules from the vaccines do not stay in the body but are broken down shortly after vaccination.” The EMA’s human medicines committee’s opinions on the two adapted vaccines will be sent to the European Commission in view of a final decision being adopted.
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After in July the government announced that it would not implement the vaccine mandate in the foreseeable future, . The mandate had caused debate among Luxembourg residents. A draft bill prepared by the ministry of justice after the omicron variant hit the country envisioned requiring residents above the age of 50 as well as healthcare staff--who are in close contact with vulnerable persons--to get vaccinated against covid-19.