Last checked at 
* Alpine nation has approved 3 COVID-19 vaccines, so far
* Swiss expect 8 mln Q2 vaccine doses, despite Moderna
hiccups
(Adds detail in 6th paragraph about possible recommendation for
AstraZeneca vaccine, following rare blood clots)
By John Miller
ZURICH, April 20 (Reuters) - Switzerland's drug regulator is
still awaiting data needed to consider whether to approve
AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, a Swissmedic official
said on Tuesday, adding the information "unfortunately" had yet
to be submitted.
AstraZeneca was the first vaccine maker to seek Swiss
approval in early October 2020, but has since been overtaken by
three vaccines that have won Swissmedic's blessing from Pfizer
, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Another
candidate, from Germany's CureVac, this week submitted
a rolling application, in hopes of a speedy OK.
Claus Bolte, Swissmedic's head of approvals, said
AstraZeneca's approval process had dragged on as part of a
"curious" situation, marked by the company's release of initial
efficacy data in March that drew U.S. officials' rebuke, before
days later issuing slightly worse numbers.
"We're waiting, just like the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, for the results of clinical trials in Latin
America and North America," Bolte said during a press conference
from Bern.
"It was announced four weeks ago, but it has unfortunately
not yet been submitted," he said. "We want to decide on an
approval. Right now, however, it's not possible."
With AstraZeneca's vaccine associated with very rare blood
clots in Europe, Bolte added Switzerland could eventually make
recommendations on limits about who should get the shot, if data
supported such a move. First, however, it must be approved.
AstraZeneca did not immediately respond to an emailed
request for comment. The European Medicines Agency said earlier
this month the risk of dying from COVID-19 was "much greater"
than the risk of mortality from rare side effects.
Also at the press conference, Swiss vaccines czar Nora
Kronig said Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine deliveries had
experienced some hiccups and delays, but the government still
anticipated the U.S. company would meet its second-quarter
commitments.
Moderna told Reuters last week its second-quarter deliveries
to Britain and Canada faced delays, but that Swiss and European
Union shipments would hit target ranges.
Switzerland expects eight million doses combined from
Moderna and Pfizer and its German partner BionTech in
April, May and June.
(Reporting by John Miller. Editing by Silke Koltrowitz and Mark
Potter)
