An investigation has been launched after the European Medicine's Agency said on Wednesday that it had been the victim of a cyberattack.
"EMA has been the subject of a cyberattack. The Agency has swiftly launched a full investigation, in close cooperation with law enforcement and other relevant entities," the EU's top drugs regulator said in a online statement.
The agency, which is crucially in the midst of reviewing data on over a dozen coronavirus vaccines, did not specify the nature of the cyberattack nor if it had been effective.
Related News
- Will we pick which vaccine we take?
- Pfizer and BioNTech apply for EU approval of Covid-19 vaccine
- Moderna pushes speedy EU approval of coronavirus vaccine
"EMA cannot provide additional details whilst the investigation is ongoing. Further information will be made available in due course," it said.
A spokesperson for the EMA told the BBC that the agency remained "functional."
The attack comes as the Amsterdam-based agency is reviewing market approval authorisations on two key Covid-19 vaccines which have completed late-stage clinical trials, Pfeizer/BioNTech's and Moderna's.
It also comes after the UK became the first country to begin its massive Covid-19 vaccination campaign using the Pfeizer/BioNTech jab, whose evaluation by US drug authorities is also on the cusp of conclusion.
The approval of a coronavirus vaccine by the EMA is a crucial condition enabling member states to effectively begin vaccinations.
Belgium has so far signed up to get 600,000 doses of Pfeizer/BioNTech's vaccine and has said that, if all goes to plan, it will be ready to begin vaccinating the first priority groups as early as 5 January.
Gabriela Galindo
The Brussels Times
