By Josephine Mason, Anthony Deutsch and Nikolaj Skydsgaard

LONDON (Reuters] – Campaigns for extra COVID-19 shots are spreading across Europe even though the regional drug watchdog has yet to rule on their safety and effectiveness.

Italy, France Germany, Ireland and Germany already administer booster shots. However, the Netherlands intends to begin this procedure soon, but only for immuno-suppressed people.

Several EU nations are still waiting on the European Medicines Agency to issue its opinions this week.

This fragmented image reflects the many approaches taken in the rolling out of photos across the richest regions of the globe at the beginning of each year.

The scientists also fail to agree on how wide they should be used. Governments seek to save their struggling economies, combat the more contagious Delta variant and prevent further lockdowns during winter.

The EU’s Infectious Disease Centre stated that the EU was concerned about the situation and warned of the risk of an increase in deaths, hospitalisations, and cases over the coming six weeks.

According to the report, only 61% have had their vaccines completed and only three countries, Portugal, Iceland, have given more than 75%.

This compares to less than 25% of Bulgaria’s population, which is one of the biggest laggards when it comes to EU vaccines.

Nonetheless, this bloc’s move towards vaccine boosters will spark the discussion about the use of vaccines by rich countries while less developed nations struggle to obtain supplies and inoculate citizens.

The World Health Organization called for countries to hold off on boosting vaccines until there are more inoculated people.

EU NEXT IN LINE

If the EMA supports the Pfizer (NYSE:) booster The 27-member bloc will be joined by the United States of America, Britain, and Israel. They have been given the go ahead to manage them.

They rely on Israeli data showing that booster doses were being given to everyone. The results show that there has been a decrease in the number of infections overall and severe COVID-19 related illnesses in those over 60.

Pfizer Moderna (NASDAQ) also released data analyses from their clinical trials that showed that over 90% of patients with symptomatic COVID-19 infections have been cured by the shots.

Experts say there is no need to give boosters for older people or those with compromised immunity.

Although the EMA should make a decision Monday, the regulator won’t likely provide specific guidance about who should be given a booster shot.

Both the EMA and ECDC stated there was not enough information.

ECDC stated Thursday that people who have severely impaired immune systems may receive additional vaccinations as their standard vaccine protection may not be sufficient.

The virus can be given to older, frailer people in homes and care homes as a preventative measure. Healthcare workers, along with other personnel, who may have been infected, should also be considered.

It said that it is still reviewing data regarding waning immunity and decreased vaccine effectiveness for the Delta variant.

DIVERGING MOVES

EU member countries continue to implement their policies.

Italy started administering shots to immuno-compromised people, elderly and health workers at risk. This shot targeted approximately 9,000,000 people.

However, the Netherlands has emphasized the necessity for primary vaccines and is now limiting boosters to immunosuppressed people.

For the moment, COVID-19 vaccines are providing an unequivocal high level of protection. Although Israel has provided the only evidence of a decrease in protections, the indications still do not support a boost campaign in the Netherlands,” stated the council.

Denmark’s government follows a similar strategy. However, it is looking to distribute extra dosages to healthcare staff and those over 65 if approved by the EMA.

Switzerland won’t use boosters at this time because authorities don’t see protection losing over the long-term, although they continue to monitor the data.

These divisions are also exposed in domestic decision-making. Germany’s regional and federal health ministers worried about the slowing of vaccination rates, and they voted to give third doses to large portions of the population.

However, the country’s vaccination expert panel STIKO only recommended an extra shot for immunocompromised patients such as those with cancer or organ transplant patients.

It stated it was looking at expanding the program to include other groups. A recommendation would be made in the following weeks.