[ad_1]
Across Europe, countries are now preparing for the comprehensive vaccination that begins this Christmas. On Monday, the EMA is expected to recommend approval of the Pfizer vaccine.
Following what will likely be the green light from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Monday, the process will proceed to the European Commission. Before December 23, they will probably give their approval to the Pfizer / Biontech vaccine.
This is the real starting point for vaccination against covid-19 in all EU countries and also in Norway.
– We have won the first round against the virus, but we are focused on continued international cooperation, said Pfizer’s global research manager, Mikael Dolsten, before the weekend.
In the UK, US and Canada, the vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech already has emergency approval. In these countries, vaccination is already underway and hundreds of thousands of people have been vaccinated. The EU has made it clear that it wants all countries receiving vaccines to start vaccination at the same time. They have defined it from December 27 to 29.
Different starting shots in Europe
In Norway, vaccination will probably start on the third day of Christmas, December 27, Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) declared.
In that case, it will be before several EU countries. Many have planned to start their vaccination in the days after. In the Netherlands, vaccination is not scheduled to start until January 8, the Dutch Health Ministry said before the weekend.
Italy was the country in Europe most affected at the beginning of the pandemic. They announce that they will begin their vaccination at the end of December, before the operation escalates on a large scale during the New Year.
– We are not going to waste a minute, says Domenico Arcuri, who is the commissioner of the Italian government in relation to the crisis of the crown.
The sea
Get the vaccine first: this is how Oslo will distribute the doses
Developed in record time
The vaccine, which has been developed in collaboration between the American company Pfizer and the German company Biontech, has been developed in record time.
Generally, it takes up to ten years to develop such a vaccine. Instead, they have succeeded in about ten months. As early as January, they began work on developing a vaccine against what at the time were only signs of a pandemic.
Through the collaboration, which was dubbed Project Lightspeed, the two companies were able to develop the covid-19 vaccine, the first to be approved in the US and Europe.
Pfizer coronary vaccine
The corona vaccine, developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, provides protection against COVID-19 in 94 percent of cases.
- The vaccine, called BNT162b2, is taken in two doses three weeks apart. It produces a full effect one week after the second dose is taken.
- It will reportedly cost around 180 crowns per dose.
- It is one of the so-called mRNA vaccines.
- It should be stored at minus 70 degrees. It only lasts five days in the fridge.
- It was first tested in 43,000 people in a phase 3 study. It was approved and used in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, where hundreds of thousands have already received the vaccine. Bahrain and Mexico have also granted emergency approval for the use of the vaccine.
- So far no serious side effects have been reported. However, some allergic reactions have been reported in the United States, but it is not uncommon for vaccines to cause certain side effects.
- Norway has guaranteed access through European cooperation. In Norway, vaccination is scheduled to start on December 27.
- The Pfizer vaccine is expected to receive the green light in the EU on Monday, December 21.
(Sources: Norwegian Medicines Agency, NTB, BBC, AFP, AP)
No serious side effects
The vaccine, which actually has the official name BNT162b2, provides 94 percent protection against covid-19. This means that 94 percent of those vaccinated are protected against the coronavirus.
It is the so-called mRNA vaccine and must be taken in two doses, three weeks apart. After taking the second dose, it takes a week before the vaccine reaches its full effect.
It is common for vaccines to have side effects, but most are mild and transient. Some side effects are only discovered when the vaccine is used and given to many more and more varied groups than in studies, according to FHI.
No serious side effects have been reported with the Pfizer / Biontech vaccine. It is true that some allergic reactions have been recorded in the US, according to VG. However, there is little cause for concern, according to the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
Read also: Health Ambassador: – I think we need both 2021 and 2022
Modern vaccine notches on the heel
Last week, the EMA announced that they are accelerating their decision on Moderna’s vaccine in the EU until January 6, a week earlier than expected. This has been possible since the American pharmaceutical manufacturer Moderna released more data ahead of schedule.
Before the weekend, the US Food and Drug Administration gave the FDA emergency approval of the Moderna vaccine, and as early as Monday, 6 million doses will be released from the warehouse.
The Moderna vaccine is the second corona vaccine approved for use in a Western country. This vaccine, like the Pfizer vaccine, provides 94 percent protection against covid-19.
This weekend it became known that Norway has secured 1.9 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, according to VG. Through the EU system, Norway can also subsequently gain access to candidate vaccines for Oxford / AstraZeneca, Curevac, Sanofi / GSK and Johnson & Johnson.
(© NTB)
The sea
High: Government is considering stopping entry from UK
Advertising
Great summary: these stores have started Christmas sales
