Rome, January 16, 2021 – Covid vaccine at the dropper? The drop in deliveries of Pfizer vaccine in Europe, which infuriated the Commissioner so much Arches, at a European level has led the EMA to broaden its gaze on other vaccines in preparation. Meanwhile the Pfizer, given the reactions of European countries, promises a plan to reduce delays one week. Second Guido Rasi, professor of microbiology and former director general of the EMA “there are no difficulties for strengthen vaccine production in other factories if necessary: it is sufficient to inspect the production site and if the conditions exist, in a couple of weeks the production chain could start strengthened to meet the global demand “. Then he underlines:” But the goal of quality is as important as quantity“.
Vaccinated in Italy: the real-time dashboard
The other vaccines on the way
“We are working on the vaccine Johnson&Jonhnson, which at the moment is the most advanced, but there are also other vaccines for which we have started a dialogue and we are ready to start the procedures “, he tells SkyTg24 microphones Marco Cavaleri, responsible for Ema vaccination strategy. In short, we need to look at 360 degrees. “We are also in contact with the developers of the Russian and Chinese vaccines – Cavaleri continues – we are also open to discussing with them to see if there are margins and if there is an interest in a European authorization. We are absolutely open“.
For Johnson & Johnson, “if the results of the clinical study are positive – explains Cavaleri – and available quickly, there is scope for arriving at an opinion already at the end of February-March“. For the Italian ReiThera, “we had initial dialogues and look forward to seeing new data: we are interested in proceeding with this vaccine which is interesting”.
As for the ok of the expected vaccine AstraZenicaCavaleri replies to question: “I think it’s a lot difficult to arrive before January 29th, which is a possible but not certain date. “And he continues:” We are working to reach the goal that day – he assures – There is a lot of data that we are evaluating at the moment and that are coming to us from the company. The important thing is that we clarify a whole series of aspects related above all to clinical studies. We are convinced that we can stay in these times “.
Pfizer: plan to reduce delays
Pfizer and BioNTech have announced a plan that it should reduce delivery delays to one week of the anti-Covid vaccine, which Europe feared would last for 3-4 weeks. The plan “will allow for an increase in production capacity in Europe and to supply much more doses in the second quarter,” reads a joint statement. “We will return to the initial EU distribution calendar starting in the week of January 25, with an increase in deliveries from the week of February 15 – continues the note -. To do this, some changes to the production process are now necessary “.
The second Pfizer dose
As for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, which some countries have decided to postpone to cover the maximum population, Cavaleri specifies: “From the leaflet the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine should be administered after three weeks: obviously if you do it a few days later there is no problem and all European countries are oriented to give some flexibility in this sense but it is important that the second dose is administered as close as possible to these three weeks. The longer you wait, the more there is the risk that the subject will not be protected “.
Viola: no to the vaccine for the recovered
In all this, given the shortage of vaccines, the immunologist from the University of Padua Antonella Viola points out – as he had already done Massimo Galli – that from vaccination they could to exclude those who have fallen ill and then he recovered in the last few months.
For Viola “it is not dangerous to vaccinate those who have had Covid-19 infection and are cured, and therefore there is no need to do a serological before vaccination”, but it is not a priority: “with the slowness with which the doses arrive, and the temporary 29% cut announced yesterday by Pfizer, it could be excluded – he proposes – who has had the disease in the last 2-3 months “. “In recent days, however – warns Viola – I have received reports of reinfections in healthcare personnel 3-6 months after the first, so a serious risk assessment must be made before choosing this path. Instead, I remember that those who have been treated with plasma must wait 90 days before receiving the vaccination “.
Europe’s anger against Pfizer
Six countries of the European Union have called it “unacceptable” decision of Pfizer to reduce deliveries of anti-Covid vaccine in the coming weeks. For the Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia this slowdown in the shipment of doses “reduces the credibility of the vaccination process”. The six countries asked the EU to put pressure on the Pfizer-BioNTech consortium after the American company announced a reduction in supplies for technical issues related to production.
Although the EU does not rely solely on Pfizer preparation for its immunization campaign, after approving the Modern vaccine and be about to give l’ok ad AstraZeneca, Pfizer’s decision has shaken many of Europe’s governments and their programs.
The German Ministry of Health called Pfizer’s announcement surprising and unfortunate by pointing out the supply obligation signed until mid-February. For her part, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen yesterday stated that she was reassured by the pharmaceutical giant’s top management that first quarter deliveries will be guaranteed.
A third of EU countries said they had “insufficient” doses of vaccine. Lithuania got half of Pfizer’s promised vaccine doses by mid-February. The Belgium should receive half of the doses by January. There Norway he said Pfizer has already reduced supplies to the country and emergency stocks will need to be used.
© All rights reserved
–
–
