EUrine regulators are urging a second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people over 60 as cases and hospitalizations surge once again.
Recommendations from the European Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the European Medicines Agency also cover people with medical conditions that put them at high risk of severe illness, both agencies said in a statement. statement in Monday. Weekly incidence among people 65 years of age and older increased by 32% in 22 of the 24 reporting countries for the week ending July 3 compared with the week before, according to the ECDC. statement.
The new recommendation follows guidance issued in April calling for people over 80 to be considered for a second booster shot. New mRNA injections can be given at least four months after the previous injection. Currently, there is no clear evidence to support a second booster shot for people under age 60 who are not at risk for severe disease, the agency said.
Stella Kyriakides, the EU’s health commissioner, said in the statement: “With cases and hospitalizations increasing again as we enter the summer period, I urge everyone to get vaccinated and immunized. as fast as possible”. “I urge Member States to deploy a second booster for all people over 60 years old as well as all vulnerable people immediately.”
Separately, EMA CEO Emer Cooke said work is underway to possibly approve a modified vaccine to combat the newer variants by September.
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