With the increasing release of the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 in EU and EEA countries, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) strongly encourage those eligible for vaccination but not still be vaccinated, start and complete the proposed COVID-19 vaccination schedule 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 a sufficient time (seven to fourteen days) from 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 new ones from appearing.
Mike Catchpole, chief scientist at ECDC, said: “While the available vaccines are extremely effective in protecting people from severe COVID-19 disease until higher populations are immunized, the risk has not been overcome. “We are now witnessing an increasing number of COVID-19 cases across the EU and the EEA, and vaccines remain the best available option to prevent an increase in serious illness and death.”
As vaccination campaigns increase rapidly across the EU and the EEA, it may be appropriate in some cases to consider reducing the interval between 1st and 2nd doses within the permitted limits, especially for those at risk of serious disease. with COVID-19 who have not completed the proposed vaccination program.
Infections in vaccinated people do not mean that the 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 individuals who have completed the proposed vaccination program (ie, “pioneering infections”). However, when infections do occur, vaccines can greatly prevent serious illnesses and significantly reduce the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19.
“These vaccines against COVID-19 are very effective,” said Fergus Sweeney, head of clinical studies and EMA. 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 serious COVID-19 disease than unvaccinated people, and we should all try to get fully vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.”
The EMA and the ECDC recommend full COVID-19 vaccination to all eligible 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 using a mask and respecting social distance, even those who have received full vaccination program.
The EMA and the ECDC remain committed to working closely with other EU bodies and national bodies to collect, produce and share the best scientific data to help Member States protect public health in their national situations.
More information is available from the websites:
• European Center for Disease Prevention and Control: COVID-19
• European Medicines Agency: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• European Vaccination Information Portal
• Joint EMA ECDC Declaration on 14 July
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