The head of Germany’s vaccines regulator said some groups of people living in Germany could be vaccinated against COVID-19 early next year.
Klaus Cichutek, head of the Paul Ehrlich Institut, stressed that data from Phase I and Phase II trials showed some vaccines triggered an immune response against the coronavirus: “If data from Phase III trials shows the vaccines are effective and safe, the first vaccines could be approved at the beginning of the year, possibly with conditions attached”, Cichutek said.
“Based on assurances from manufacturers, the first doses for people in Germany will be available at that time, in accordance with the priorities set by the Standing Committee on Vaccination”, he added.
Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Pfizer Inc. are among the companies that expect to each make more than 1 billion doses of a vaccine next year.
