HAGUE: A new wave of Covid-19 is affecting Europe and is being caused by the extremely contagious BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of Omicron, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said.
Marco Cavaleri, head of the EMA's Biological Health Threats and Vaccines Strategy, stated in a press conference from Amsterdam that "we see a fresh wave of COVID-19 in many members of the European Union."
The wave is driven by the highly transmissible BA.4 and BA.5. Based on current predictions, BA.4 and BA.5 are anticipated to overtake all other variants by the end of July in all European countries. People 80 years of age and older were already advised to obtain a second booster shot by the EMA in April. Now, Cavaleri reiterated that advice and recommended a second booster for those between the ages of 60 and 79 as well as those who are medically vulnerable at any age.
Although there is no proof that the newer virus strains make people sicker than older ones, Cavaleri said that the increased transmission across older age groups is beginning to result in serious illnesses. It is crucial to continue the protection of vulnerable groups and prevent any vaccination delays as this new wave spreads across Europe.
The EMA is open to several next-generation Covid vaccines and is prepared to take into account those tailored to the most common Omicron subvariants at the moment. According to Cavaleri, these vaccinations might be too late for the autumn immunisation campaigns that the EU member states have scheduled.
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