Filenews 5 August 2021
Concern is being raised about the new DELTA mutation, with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) encouraging all those who have not been vaccinated to do so in a timely manner.
Full vaccination with any of the EU/EEA approved vaccines offers a high level of protection against serious diseases and deaths caused by SARS-CoV-2, including variants such as Delta. The highest level of protection is achieved after sufficient time (seven to fourteen days) has elapsed since the day of the last dose of vaccine.
Vaccination is also important to protect those at greater risk of serious illness and hospitalization, reducing the spread of the virus and preventing the occurrence of new variants.
Mike Catchpole, ECDC's chief scientist, said: "While available vaccines are extremely effective in protecting people from severe COVID-19 disease until higher population rates are identified, the risk has not been overcome. We are now witnessing an increasing number of CASES of COVID-19 across the EU and the EEA and vaccines remain the best available option to avoid an increase in serious diseases and deaths."
As vaccination campaigns are increasing rapidly across the EU and the EEA, it may be appropriate in some cases to consider reducing the interval between the 1st and 2nd dose, within the permitted limits, particularly for people at risk of severe COVID-19 disease who have not completed the proposed vaccination programme.
Infections in vaccinated people does not mean that vaccines do not work
Although the efficacy of all COVID-19 vaccines approved in the EU/EEA is very high, no vaccine is 100% effective. This means that a limited number of SARS-CoV-2 infections are expected among people who have completed the proposed vaccination programme (i.e. "ground-breaking infections"). However, when infections occur, vaccines can largely prevent serious diseases and significantly reduce the number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19.
Fergus Sweeney, EMA's head of clinical studies and manufacturing, said: "These COVID-19 vaccines are very effective. However, as long as the virus continues to circulate, we will continue to see pioneering infections in vaccinated individuals.
"This does not mean that vaccines do not work. Vaccinated people are much better protected from severe COVID-19 disease than unvaccinated individuals, and we should all try to get fully vaccinated at the first opportunity."
The EMA and ECDC recommend full COVID-19 vaccination to all beneficiary citizens. Until more people are vaccinated and while SARS-CoV-2 is still spreading, everyone should abide by national regulations and continue to take measures such as mask use and respect for social distance, even those individuals who have received a full vaccination program.
The EMA and ECDC remain committed to working closely with other EU bodies and national organisations to collect, produce and exchange the best scientific data to help Member States protect public health in their national situations.
More information is available from the websites:
• European Centre for Disease prevention & control
• European Medicines Agency Covid 19
