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European Union countries could begin inoculating coronavirus as early as this year, the head of the European Commission said on Tuesday.
This followed the decision of the EU drug regulator to advance its possible approval of the Pfizer / BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on 21 December.
“The first Europeans are likely to be vaccinated before the end of 2020,” Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter following the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) decision to hold a special meeting on the Pfizer vaccine on 21 December, before a meeting previously scheduled for December 29th.
Following possible approval by the EU regulator, the European Commission is expected to formally approve the Pfizer vaccine within three days, following consultations with the 27 EU governments.
Commission decisions on drug approval usually follow EMA recommendations. The approval of the Pfizer vaccine by the Commission is considered a formality if the EMA issues a positive recommendation.
EU countries can start vaccinations immediately after formal approval by the EU Commission.
Germany, France, Italy and five other European states will coordinate the start of their jab campaigns, the country’s health ministers said on Tuesday.
Countries will promote “coordination of the launch of vaccination campaigns” and will quickly share information on their procedure, according to the statement, along with other commitments in areas such as transparency.
The declaration was published by Italy and also signed by the Ministers of Health of Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)