EMA Endorses ICMRA Statements on Value of Safe and Effective Vaccines

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued a press release on June 18, 2020, in which it endorses two statements from the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities (ICMRA) about the importance of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.

The statements, which have been developed jointly by regulators from around the world for healthcare professionals and the general public, are aimed at providing assurance that the regulatory processes for the authorization and safety monitoring of vaccines are robust, independent, and focus firmly on public health. More recently, vaccination rates have dropped to sometimes dangerous levels in certain countries, increasing the risk of diseases spreading. The statements, therefore, reiterate the responsibilities of everyone in ensuring they are vaccinated to protect themselves and others, particularly those who are unable to get immunized.

“The COVID-19 health emergency reminds us how important vaccines are to protect ourselves and our loved ones against infectious diseases,” said Guido Rasi, chair of ICMRA and EMA’s executive director, in the press release. “In fact, vaccines are that one medical intervention that benefits not only those who receive it directly but also those who are too young, too old, or too ill to be vaccinated themselves.”

The ICMRA statements are available on the ICMRA website in multiple languages.

Source: EMA