Germany and Denmark Consider Delaying Second Dose of COVID Vaccine Due to Limited Stocks | Freedom

The German Ministry of Health has requested expert advice for a possible postponement of the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by BioNTech and Pfizer. The aim is to continue the immunization campaign, despite limited vaccine stocks, according to a document consulted by Reuters on Monday.

According to the latest daily report from the Robert Koch Institute, Germany has vaccinated some 239,000 people since the start of the national campaign on December 27, less than the 1.3 million doses delivered at the end of 2020.

Denmark is considering a similar solution, writes Reuters. Danish officials, taking a 3-6 week interval into account, said they would monitor the situation in the UK before making a decision.

London was the first to decide to administer the second dose of the vaccine at 12 weeks, well beyond the 21 days recommended by Pfizer.

The UK’s move has been hailed by several German health experts and comes as governments try to provide protection against the coronavirus to as many people as possible.

However, the British decision also drew criticism from some experts, but also warnings from Pfizer, which specified that it tested the effectiveness of the vaccine only in the case of the two-dose protocol administered 21 days apart.

However, British officials said the first dose provides most of the protection.

An extra dose

Other references in the German Health Ministry document include the recommendation that an additional sixth dose be drawn from the vials with the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine, a practice that companies say is feasible and has been allowed in several countries.

Even so, the number of doses of vaccine will not be enough, at least for now. Therefore, Germany is confident of the rapid approval of two other vaccines: Moderna and Oxford / AstraZeneca.

The European Union’s opinion on the vaccine produced by Moderna is scheduled for Wednesday, but could be brought forward to Monday.

Regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine approved last week in the UK, the German Health Ministry said the ongoing review at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is under “high pressure.”

“The objective is to decide, as soon as possible, the way forward and the scope of authorization” for the AstraZeneca vaccine, the document also says.

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