The approval of COVID-19 vaccines may have been fast-tracked, but these medicines were still subject to rigorous checks carried out by regulatory authorities.

Brussels

The European Commission has responded to renewed claims circulating online that COVID-19 vaccines were approved without adequate health checks. These claims reference a German newspaper article and statements from a sceptical Member of the European Parliament. The Commission clarified that vaccines were granted conditional marketing authorisations, a regulatory measure used in urgent public health situations, which allows for earlier access to medicines while additional data is gathered.

Officials emphasised that this process does not mean vaccines bypassed safety checks. Tens of thousands of participants were involved in clinical trials, and the vaccines met the standards set by the European Medicines Agency. Since their initial conditional approval, COVID-19 vaccines have received full authorisation after fulfilling all required medical and data criteria. Ongoing monitoring continues, and authorisations can be withdrawn if necessary.

Misleading claims about EU's approval of COVID vaccines persist online

Did the European Commission approve Covid-19 vaccines without proper checks? A claim has resurfaced online alleging that the European Commission recently admitted that Covid-19 vaccines were approved without proper health checks. Social media users and other media outlets refer to an article published by the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung, which headlines EU Commission admits Corona vaccines were released without complete safety data. The Berliner Zeitung quotes a question asked by Gerald Hauser, an MEP for the far-right Patriots for Europe group, and a vocal sceptic of Europe's vaccine strategy. Hauser asked the Commission why it did not inform citizens that the efficacy and safety of the gene-based vaccine were not guaranteed. In August, the Commission responded by stating that vaccines were granted a conditional marketing authorisation, which facilitates access to medicines with unmet medical needs, whilst a comprehensive data dossier is not yet available. The Commission told Euroverify that claims that vaccines were approved without the proper checks were a misinterpretation, adding that conditional market authorisations greenlight medicines with less comprehensive clinical data than normally required. These measures are regulatory trade-offs applied in exceptional public health emergencies, such as pandemics, when the need for immediate vaccine access outweighs the risks of having all the available data. For instance, the Ebola vaccine was granted a conditional marketing authorisation in 2019 to tackle the epidemic, before receiving a full one in 2021. Even though Covid vaccine authorisations were sped up, tens of thousands of individuals still participated in clinical trials to ensure vaccines met the standards of the European Medicines Agency. Although initially they had conditional authorisations, they have since been granted full authorisations due to meeting the required medical and data needs. Still, vaccine monitoring continues even when full marketing authorisations have been granted, meaning authorisations can be withdrawn.

Former NFL quarterback and Fox Sports analyst Mark Sanchez was charged with felony battery involving serious bodily injury, and could face up to six years in jail, according to Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears.

Indianapolis

Mark Sanchez charged with felony, could face up to 6 years in jail

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced on Monday a lawsuit against the Trump administration over plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago.

Chicago

Illinois, Chicago sue Trump over National Guard deployment

A selloff in French markets gathered pace after French media reports that Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has resigned. French stocks fell sharply, government bond yields were up 8 basis points and the euro was last down 0.65% at $1.1667.

Paris

French markets tumble after PM Lecornu resigns

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Ex-NFL star Mark Sanchez faces criminal charges in alleged assault

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Portland

Trump sends National Guard to Oregon despite court block

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip overnight and on Sunday, destroying several residential buildings, witnesses said, as Palestinians hoped a U.S. plan to end the war would soon ease their suffering.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strikes on Gaza continue ahead peace talks

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Cairo

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Santa Teresa

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Washington

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Negotiations between Israel, Hamas set to begin

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Tokyo

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel intensifies Gaza bombardment despite U.S. pressure to stop

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Protests in Portland as National Guard mobilizes

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Trump orders Israel to stop bombing Gaza

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El Cajon

State sues El Cajon over license plate data

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Manhattan

Sean "Diddy" Combs sentenced to over four years in prison

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U.S. Senate fails to pass funding bill to end government shutdown

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Hegseth announces another strike against vessel off Venezuela coast

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Canterbury

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London

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Manchester

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Breakdown