EU asking Pfizer, Moderna for more data in study of possible side effects

Europe’s drugs regulator on Wednesday said they are asking Pfizer and Moderna to study more data to assess if three new conditions are possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines, Reuters reported.

The three conditions are being studied by the safety committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The conditions reported from a small number of people are erythema multiforme, a skin reaction; nephrotic syndrome, a kidney disorder with heavy urinary protein losses; and glomerulonephritis, kidney inflammation. 

In July, the EMA found a possible link between the Moderna vaccine and a rare heart condition. Despite this, the World Health Organization and the European regulator urged people to get the vaccine as the benefits outweigh the risks.  

The news of the conditions was revealed as part of routine updates to the safety section of all vaccine databases. The EMA did not reveal how many cases of the new conditions have been recorded but said they requested more data from Moderna and Pfizer. 

Just over 43.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered in the European Economic Area. Pfizer has been used for more than 330 million shots in the area.