PL MEP Cyrus Engerer is calling for all MEPs within the European Parliament to support the Maltese government's call for proactivity on a possible Covid-19 vaccine booster shot, in addition to the two that are currently being administered.

This week, one of the main Covid-19 manufacturing companies Moderna issued a statement saying that it has started preclinical studies on the need of a possible third Covid-19 vaccine shot due to the variants that have emerged in certain parts of the world over the past months.

The company said that through lab studies it has conducted on the variant it concluded that the two doses of the vaccine that are currently being administered should suffice against the variants and is carrying out these studies as a precaution.

On Thursday, it was reported Health Minister Chris Fearne sent a letter to EUoprean Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, saying that if there is enough evidence to prove the need for a third jab, the EU should plan ahead and ensure that all member states have access to it.

In a statement, PL MEP Engerer showed his support towards the Minister's appeal and called for all MEPs in the European Parliament to join forces and write to EU Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen and Kyriakides to make the same appeal.

He explained that it is crucial for all state members to move towards total immunity from the virus as per the EU Commission's plan; "this is not only important in order to safeguard the health of European citizens alone, but also to restart the European economy and protect people's employment."

In his letter to the EU Commission, he emphasised the value of unity among all states during times of crisis such as the purchase of vaccines and medicines so that no one is left lagging behind.

Cyrus Engerer concluded by urging the European Commission to be transparent in its negotiations with these companies and to keep citizens informed about the advances it is making in this regard.