The Hague

Europe is facing a new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic triggered by the highly-transmissible BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron, according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Based on current predictions, BA.4 and BA.5 are expected to become dominant across the European countries, likely replacing all other variants by the end of July.

In April, the EMA already advised people aged 80 and above to get a second booster vaccine.

Although there is no evidence that the variants make people sicker than earlier strains of the virus, the increase in transmission among older age groups is starting to translate into severe diseases.

The EMA is open to various next-generation Covid vaccines and willing to consider those adapted to the currently predominant Omicron subvariants.

However, these vaccines could come too late for the autumn vaccination campaigns planned by the EU member states.

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The EMA, therefore, indicated a preference so far for vaccines already authorized.