Pfizer's vaccine for children under 12 will be available in less than two weeks

The BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 is available starting

.

This is what the company has indicated to the European authorities and this was announced this afternoon by the president of the European Commission,

.

In an appearance from Brussels, the German company has indicated that Pfizer has accelerated the procedures, shortened the expected deadlines, and will begin the distribution in less than two weeks.

Last Thursday, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the community body based in the Netherlands,

for this age group and the EU wants its immediate use in the middle of a wave of cases and with enormous uncertainty due to the arrival of the Omicron variant. The vaccine, Comirnaty, was already approved for use in the EU for ages 12 and older. They will have a lower load than those of adults and older than 12 years, but the procedure will be the same and the three-week interval between doses is maintained.

"In recent weeks, many of us have witnessed it first hand: Covid 19 has resurfaced and infected some of our close friends, co-workers, family members or loved ones. The rapid increase in the number of cases is exerting a Increasing pressure on our hospitals and healthcare workers Furthermore, the arrival of the Omicron variant, allegedly highly contagious,

. I am convinced that the EU is up to the task to tackle these challenges. Today we present a wide range of actions, from intensifying our vaccination efforts and investment in treatment, to improving monitoring and prevention and reinforcing our global solidarity. In the meantime, I reiterate my urgent request to all: vaccinate, receive a booster and follow the rules to protect yourself, "said Von der Leyen.

Countries like

have indicated that they expect to receive

in a first supply

, enough to vaccinate almost 50% of children in this age group. In May of this year the European Commission signed a contract with BioNTech and Pfizer to guarantee 1.8 billion doses between 2021 and 2023. The agreement involves the purchase of 900 million doses of the current vaccine or new ones adapted to different variants, with the option to acquire another 900 million if necessary. All will be produced in the EU and with materials available on the continent, to avoid surprises such as what happened with the failed supply of AstraZeneca.

"The high transmissibility of the Delta variant, a significantly high immunity gap, and the relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions bring us a challenging winter. The emergence of the Omicron variant adds to the already urgent need to vaccinate and fortify. our immunity to break the chains of transmission. Where necessary, effective public health measures must be introduced, including social distancing and masks. We must act quickly and decisively to limit the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact, "added the European Commissioner for Health, Stella Kyriakides.

The president has also addressed a very delicate issue but one that is becoming prevalent in the continent:

.

announced this week that it will impose fines of up to 200 euros a month to those over 60 who are not vaccinated as of January. The new German Government, about to take office, has shown that it is studying the obligation of the vaccine, as Austria has also done.

Von der Leyen, a German and always in close contact with Berlin, has said that such decisions are of a national nature, but has paved the way by explaining that he believes it is necessary "to start thinking about that possibility." She has not been openly in favor of the measure, but she is in favor of the debate. He believes that it is necessary, given what is happening and the deterioration of the situation, and essential so that a cascade of different actions between neighbors does not occur again.

"If you ask me my personal position, two or three years ago I would have said that what we are experiencing was impossible. We have a horrible pandemic, we have vaccines, which save lives, but they are not being used properly everywhere (..) The cost of healthcare is very high. 77% of adults in the EU are vaccinated, 66% of the total population, but that means that a third of the continent is not vaccinated, there are more than 150 million people, that's a lot Not everyone can, for different reasons, but the vast majority can. Therefore, I think it is understandable and appropriate to lead that discussion. How can we encourage and potentially think about mandatory vaccination. That requires a discussion and we need a common approach ", has settled.

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