The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Wednesday that applying two doses of some of the anticovid vaccines approved in the EU is “vital” to have protection against the highly contagious Delta variant and urged to accelerate its vaccination programs.
“Preliminary evidence suggests that both doses of a two-dose Covid-19 vaccine are needed to provide adequate protection against the Delta variant,” the EMA said, adding that “adherence to the recommended vaccination schedule is vital to benefit from the higher protection”.
The Delta variant, first detected in India, is spreading rapidly in Europe and will account for 90% of COVID-19 cases on the continent by late summer, the European Center for the Prevention and Control of Diseases in the same statement.
“This makes it essential for countries to accelerate their vaccination programs, including applying a second dose when recommended and closing gaps and opportunities for more variants to emerge as soon as possible,” the EMA noted.
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