Medical association leader advocates for vaccine options
In the ongoing debate about the AstraZeneca vaccine, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, the World Medical Association's chairman, has called for a choice of vaccines. Montgomery advises strengthening the use of Biontech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines in Europe, suggesting that from a European perspective, it would be advisable to do so to prevent confusion among the population.
Recent cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, particularly in women under 60, have been linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine, although the scientific evidence is not yet conclusive. However, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continues to support the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
The current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations in Europe emphasize updated vaccines targeting circulating variants. The EMA and European Commission have approved the use of Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines adapted to the SARS-CoV-2 LP.8.1 variant for individuals from 6 months of age and older. These vaccines are authorized across all EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway and will be available for the 2025-2026 vaccination season.
The updated Spikevax vaccine from Moderna targets the LP.8.1 variant and is authorized for individuals 6 months and older. Pfizer-BioNTech's COMIRNATY vaccine, also adapted to the LP.8.1 variant, has received positive EMA CHMP recommendation and is authorized for individuals 6 months and older. It demonstrates improved immune response against dominant sublineages compared to previous formulations.
A photograph of the Corona vaccine from Biontech/Pfizer is provided by dpa.
Montgomery reiterates that the risk of vaccination is much lower than the risk of the disease. He recommends giving people the choice of vaccine as soon as possible. The EU member states decide which vaccines to offer and to whom, with an inclination towards the newest variant-adapted mRNA vaccines for optimal protection.
In summary, current European recommendations favor updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech targeting the LP.8.1 variant for broad use, including young children. AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are not prominent in the current immunization framework focused on variant-adapted boosters.
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