EU approves 5th COVID-19 vaccine for bloc, one by Novavax

By MIKE CORDER
Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The European Union’s drugs regulator has given the green light to a fifth COVID-19 vaccine for use in the 27-nation bloc, granting conditional marketing authorization to the two-dose vaccine made by U.S. biotech company Novavax.  The European Medicines Agency decision to recommend granting conditional marketing authorisation for the vaccine for people aged 18 and over must be confirmed by the EU’s executive commission. It comes as many European nations are battling surges in infections and amid concerns about the spread of the new omicron variant. Novavax says it currently is testing how its shots will hold up against the omicron variant.