The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Corona vaccine from Moderna: Germany boss talks about children's vaccinations and combination vaccine against flu

2022-03-07T13:20:52.591Z


Corona vaccine from Moderna: Germany boss talks about children's vaccinations and combination vaccine against flu Created: 07/03/2022, 14:14 By: Patrick Huljina Will there be an omicron vaccine from Moderna? The Germany boss of the US vaccine manufacturer explains the progress and talks about a long-term vision. Munich – Vaccination against the corona virus is currently progressing slowly in G


Corona vaccine from Moderna: Germany boss talks about children's vaccinations and combination vaccine against flu

Created: 07/03/2022, 14:14

By: Patrick Huljina

Will there be an omicron vaccine from Moderna?

The Germany boss of the US vaccine manufacturer explains the progress and talks about a long-term vision.

Munich – Vaccination against the corona virus is currently progressing slowly in Germany.

In the past week, around 100,000 doses were administered every day - and the trend is falling.

On Sunday (March 6) there were just under 15,000 corona vaccinations nationwide, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

After the preparation from Biontech/Pfizer, the Corona vaccine from Moderna has so far been the second most frequently vaccinated in this country.

Gerald Wiegand, Country Director Germany of the US vaccine manufacturer, gave an outlook on children's vaccinations, an omicron vaccine and the vision of a combined vaccine against several diseases.

Corona vaccine Moderna: EMA gives the green light for children's vaccination - Stiko decides for Germany

"If the European Commission approves, you can work with the current vaccine immediately," Wiegand explained in an interview with

Focus Online

.

At the end of February, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave the green light for the basic vaccination of children aged six to eleven with the Moderna vaccine.

The EU Commission now has to make a final decision.

The decision on whether to recommend children's vaccinations is ultimately made by the EU member states themselves. In Germany, the start depends on whether the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) makes a corresponding recommendation.

Stiko currently recommends vaccination with the Moderna vaccine Spikevax only for people over 30 years of age.

"People under 30 and pregnant women should instead be vaccinated with the Comirnaty vaccine from Biontech/Pfizer," says the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.

The reason: in very rare cases, there is a risk of developing myocarditis or pericarditis a few days after the vaccination – i.e. inflammation of the heart muscle or pericardium.

The Stiko currently recommends the Moderna vaccine for people aged 30 and over.

(Iconic image) © Ole Spata/dpa

Moderna goal: "Appropriate vaccination offer for the autumn-winter season"

Moderna's Germany boss Wiegand explained, however, with a view to the corona vaccination of children between the ages of six and eleven years: "Our study data show a very positive benefit-risk ratio for this age group." The protection is comparable to that of young adults .

The side effects are similar.

"But myocarditis is a very rare side effect that is very treatable," Wiegand told

Focus

.

From his point of view, it does not affect the overall benefit-risk profile.

In addition, there is also a risk of heart muscle inflammation with Covid 19 disease and it is even higher.

With a view to the omicron wave, which seems to have peaked in Germany, Wiegand explained: "We are developing more than just an omicron vaccine." At Moderna, it has not yet been decided whether it will be an omicron vaccine or "directly a bivalent vaccine “ will give.

Bi- or trivalent vaccines could specifically attack several corona variants.

The goal is "to have a vaccine against many variants," says Wiegand.

From late summer, Moderna wants to “make the right vaccination offer for the autumn-winter season” available to people.

Moderna: Combination vaccine against corona, flu and RSV as a long-term vision

According to the expert's assessment, the clinical picture after corona infections is currently developing in such a way "that a seasonal vaccination will probably make sense".

Similar to how it is currently with the flu vaccination.

"With the vaccination offers that are constantly being adapted, we will be able to continue the best possible protection - both for the individual and for society as a whole," Wiegand explained to

Focus Online

.

In the long term, Moderna has an even bigger vision, explained the Germany boss.

They are working on a single vaccine against various respiratory diseases.

"Our vision is that we can combine the Covid vaccination with that against flu and RSV," said Wiegand.

"With this we could fight the three viruses that attack the respiratory tract seasonally," is the hope that rests in the combined vaccine.

(ph)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-03-07

You may like

Trends 24h

News/Politics 2024-03-27T16:45:54.081Z

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.