The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global partnership created in 2017 to develop vaccines to prevent future epidemics, has launched a call to support the rapid development and global manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines. The EU will co-fund the call with €100 million. The EU support is part of the pledge to invest €1 billion from Horizon […]
Read MoreCOVID-19: how the EU is fighting youth unemployment
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the pandemic is having a “devastating and disproportionate” impact on youth employment, while recent figures show that young people face major obstacles in continuing their training and education, changing jobs and accessing the labour market. Before the pandemic, youth unemployment in the EU (15-24 years old) was 14.9%, […]
Read MoreCoronavirus: How to prepare for future outbreaks
The Commission has presented immediate short-term measures to strengthen EU health preparedness for COVID-19 outbreaks. The Commission has from the outset coordinated the exchange of information and recommendations with regard to cross border health actions and measures. A continued vigilance and fast response from the Commission and the Member States is essential to ensure that the […]
Read MoreAir pollution affects brain development
90% of brain development happens by the age of four, so scientists want to understand the effects of air pollution at the earliest stages of life. Barcelona as an example Between 1981 and 1989, 26 outbreaks of asthma were reported in the Spanish city with many cases centred around the harbour. Local scientists eventually […]
Read MoreEuropean Commission unveils EU vaccines strategy
The European Commission has presented a European strategy to accelerate the development, manufacture and deployment of vaccines against COVID-19. An effective and safe vaccine against the virus is our best bet for a permanent solution to the pandemic. The Commission will support efforts to accelerate the development and availability of safe and effective vaccines within […]
Read MoreStatistics: COVID-19 evolution in Eastern Mediterranean – May
Infections by country As of 29 May 2020, the countries with the highest number of registered cases are Iran (1,721,926 cases), Saudi Arabia (438,238), Pakistan (141,779), Qatar (89,976) and the United Arab Emirates (86,943). However, in terms of population, the countries with the highest number of infections are Qatar (2342 cases per 100,000 population), Kuwait […]
Read MoreCovid-19 and gender-based violence: Has the pandemic taught us anything?
Lockdowns to prevent the spread of Covid-19 trapped many women at home with abusers. Several countries saw spikes in domestic violence reports. As lockdowns ease, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) is taking a closer look at how we can protect women in times of crisis – be it a pandemic, natural disaster or […]
Read MoreFirst COVID-19 treatment recommended for EU authorization
EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) has recommended granting conditional marketing authorisation to Veklury (remdesivir) for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age with pneumonia who require supplemental oxygen Remdesivir is the first medicine against COVID-19 to be recommended for authorisation in the EU. Data on remdesivir were assessed in […]
Read MoreStatistics: COVID-19 evolution in the Western Pacific – May
Infections by country As of 29 May 2020, the countries with the most cases registered are China (84,432 cases), Singapore (41,216), the Philippines (27,238), Japan (17,530) and South Korea (12,198). However, if we look at the number of inhabitants, the countries with the most infections are Singapore (with 712 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Australia (36), […]
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