First COVID-19 virus vaccinations possible by Christmas: EU

On Tuesday, Brussels said it would sign a contract for up to 160 million doses of the experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna, which the company says appears to be 94.5 per cent effective

By: Satata Karmakar | | Published: November 25, 2020 4:58 pm

First virus vaccinations possible by Christmas, says EU.

A top European Union (EU) official on Wednesday said that the first citizens in the 27 nation bloc could be vaccinated against the coronavirus by Christmas, but she warned that member countries must urgently prepare their logistical chains for the rollout of hundreds of millions of doses of the vaccines. Also Read - COVID-19 vaccine side effects: Loss of sensation in arms and more reported by Pune health workers

Claiming that “there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU lawmakers that “the first European citizens might already be vaccinated before the end of December.” Also Read - Vegetarians are at lesser risk of getting infected by Covid-19 virus: Study

The commission, the EU’s executive arm, has agreements with six potential vaccine suppliers and is working on a seventh contract. The deals allow it to purchase over 800 million doses, more than the population of the bloc, which stands at around 460 million people. Also Read - 47% of first beneficiaries in Delhi skipped Day 1 Covid-19 vaccination: Here’s why

On Tuesday, Brussels said it would sign a contract for up to 160 million doses of the experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by Moderna, which the company says appears to be 94.5 per cent effective, according to its preliminary data.

But von der Leyen said that while vaccines are important, “what counts are vaccinations. ”

“Member states must get ready now. We’re talking about millions of syringes, we’re talking about cold chains, we’re talking about organizing vaccination centers, we’re talking about trained personnel that is there. You name it. All this has to be prepared,” she warned.

Still, Von der Leyen urged European citizens to continue respecting restrictions, even as the measures harm businesses, further damage coronavirus-ravaged economies, and put people through social and mental hardship.

“With nearly 3,000 deaths a day, COVID-19 was the number one cause of death in the EU last week. Hospitals remain under stress, and in some regions, some intensive care units are overwhelmed,” she said.

“We must learn from the summer and not repeat the same mistakes. Relaxing too much is a risk for the third wave after Christmas,” von der Leyen said, adding that “this Christmas will be different, and yes, it will be quieter.”

Confirmed coronavirus cases in India rose past the 92-lakh mark, at a time when state governments are stressing the need to maintain their guard against Covid-19.

India reported 44,376 new cases in 24 hours, taking the total tally near 92.2 lakh in the world’s second-worst infected country, according to the Health Ministry’s update as of 8 a.m. on Nov. 24. That includes over 86.4 lakh recoveries and more than 1.4 lakh deaths.

Active cases rose above 4.4 lakh today, after falling to 4.3 lakh yesterday. India reported a higher number of fresh cases compared to recoveries for the third time in a week, raising concerns about a renewed surge.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Published : November 25, 2020 4:58 pm

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