The European Commission continues to insist that, although the target it set in March does not appear to have been fully met, the EU will be able to vaccinate 70% of the adult population against Covid-19 by the summer (see EUROPE 12639/1). A spokesperson told journalists on Tuesday 6 April.
“With 107 million doses in the first quarter of 2021 and 300-360 million in the second quarter, we believe we will have enough doses to reach 70% of the adult population, which is necessary to move towards the required immunity against this virus”, said Stefan De Keersmaecker.
This optimism contrasts with the results of the first quarter. The EU had committed itself to vaccinating 80% of the population over 80 years of age and health workers. However, figures recorded by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) tracking tool show that only 60% of the over-80s and 62.9% of care providers have received a first dose. These figures fall to 36.5% and 49.5% respectively when both doses are taken into account.
Also to be taken into account is the statement in the Italian press by an official of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Marco Cavaleri, that there is a link between the inoculation with the AstraZeneca vaccine and several cases of thrombosis. Contacted by EUROPE, an EMA spokesperson said that “the EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee [PRAC] has not yet reached a conclusion and the review is ongoing”, adding that the review would be finalised on 7 or 8 April. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)