The EU drug regulator said on Tuesday it could approve vaccines adapted to target the Omicron variant of the coronavirus within three to four months if needed, but that existing shots would continue to provide protection.
Part two of the France solidarity mission to India of sending anti-Covid assistance will begin at the end of May. Under this, a second air shipment of medical equipment and oxygen generator plants will be sent to New Delhi.
France is also going to send liquid oxygen from French company Air Liquide's plants in the region to India via sea including with help of Indian armed forces. The first shipment of liquid O2 will arrive in the coming days.
| UPDATED: 14:56, Wed, Mar 17, 2021
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A host of EU capitals have expressed concern over a clause in the bloc’s contract with pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson that means most vaccines made in Europe must be sent to the US for bottling. The European Commission was said to have reassured governments but insiders fear doses will not be returned to member states because Washington has an export ban in place. And diplomats and officials believe this could have serious repercussions for Brussels’ plan to have 70 percent of all adults vaccinated by September 21..