Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna submitted their formal applications for approval to the EMA yesterday. Both candidate vaccines are about 95 percent effective in preventing COVID-19.
The European agency says they will be treated “under an accelerated procedure”. This is possible because both vaccine candidates are part of an ongoing evaluation (“rolling review”), in which the EMA has already reviewed the data and studies. For the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, this ongoing evaluation has been taking place since October 6, and at Moderna since November 16.
EMA’s scientific committees “will continue to work over the Christmas period” to assess whether the data submitted is “robust enough to allow conclusions to be drawn on the quality, safety and effectiveness of the vaccine”. For the candidate of BioNTech-Pfizer, a decision is made by December 29 at the latest. For the Moderna vaccine, the bullet should be through the church by January 12 at the latest.
Once the EEA gives the green light, the European Commission has yet to formally approve it. This usually follows the advice of the agency. The European Commission has already signed contracts for corona vaccines with, among others, BioNTech-Pfizer (up to 300 million doses) and Moderna (up to 160 million). The Pfizer vaccine is produced in our country, among other places, at the plant in Puurs.
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