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A corona vaccine developed by the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and the German biotechnology company Biontech shows protection of more than 90 percent in clinical studies. Vaccination, based on a new gene-based technology, could spell the end of the corona pandemic. The Swiss authorities want to act accordingly quickly. The Swissmedic responsible for the authorization expects the authorization in a few weeks as soon as all the data is available. This is what the deputy director of Swissmedic, Philippe Girard, told the “Tages-Anzeiger”.
The Swiss licensing authority does not want to rule out a license in less than 100 days. Condition: “The relationship between risks and effects must be very good,” Girard said. “Otherwise, we cannot allow vaccines.” That makes approval for this year unthinkable. Therefore, using the fast track procedure, approval can be assumed early next year at the earliest.
According to the manufacturers, the candidate vaccine effectively protects more than 90 percent of those vaccinated against Covid-19. This was demonstrated by the results of the tests with 39,000 participants. There were 94 confirmed cases of Covid-19 among all subjects. A final evaluation is made in 164 cases.
Vaccine testing has “top priority”
Switzerland has pre-ordered a candidate vaccine from two other drug companies, including Moderna. The American biotech company wants Lonza to produce the vaccine at the Visp VS plant. Unlike Pfizer / Biontech, Moderna has not yet submitted an application for approval.
Swissmedic expects Moderna to apply for authorization soon as well. Testing all Covid vaccines has “top priority,” Girard said. “We have released employees from other activities because of this.”
However, it is not just about making a decision as quickly as possible before all other licensing authorities in other countries, Girard said. It could also be an advantage if Switzerland were not among the first: “Then we would know more, also about the possible risks.” (kes)
