The European Commission has proposed to update the rules on coordination of safe and free movement in the EU, which were put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the summer, vaccine uptake has increased significantly and the EU Digital COVID Certificate has been rolled out successfully, with more than 650 million certificates […]
Read MoreMicroscopic 3D-printed sensors to detect hazardous gases and vapours
EU-backed scientists have successfully printed in 3D tiny gas sensors that mimic colour change mechanisms seen on peacocks. The sensors respond optically to traces of gas in homes, work settings and cars. Certain types of sensors detect and identify different types of hazardous pollutants, such as toxic or explosive gases. Some also measure gas concentration. […]
Read MoreThe European Commission considers making COVID-19 vaccine compulsory
The Commission is today putting forward a common and coordinated EU approach to address effectively the challenges from the resurgence of COVID-19 in many Member States this autumn. There are rapidly rising case numbers and a renewed pressure on hospitals, which calls for urgent and determined action. The new potential threat from the Omicron variant […]
Read MoreNearly half a million lives saved by COVID-19 vaccination in less than a year
A new study by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published in Eurosurveillance estimates that 470,000 lives have been saved among those aged 60 years and over since the start of COVID-19 vaccination roll-out in 33 countries across the WHO European Region. This estimate does not […]
Read MoreNew future-proof EU pharmaceutical policy
Affordable medicines, preventing shortages and a climate-neutral industry – Parliament presses for a new EU pharmaceutical policy. During the plenary session in November 2021, the European Parlimanet set out a series of recommendations for the update of the EU’s pharmaceutical legislation. Faster access In 2019, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) authorised 103 orphan drugs – which are […]
Read MoreBooster dose for people over 40 years old, elderly and vulnerable people – COVID-19
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a new report, in which it considers that the third dose should be applied 6 months after receiving the full course. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has issued a new report, which assesses the risk of the population to […]
Read MoreEurope recommends Covid-19 vaccination for children 5 to 11 years of age
The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has given the green light on Thursday to EU countries to vaccinate children between 5 and 11 years of age against Covid, considering that the benefits outweigh the risks, especially in children with health problems that increase the risk of serious disease. The Comirnaty vaccine, […]
Read MoreEMA evaluating data on booster dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen
EMA has started evaluating an application for the use of a booster dose of COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen to be given at least two months after the first dose to people aged 18 years and older. EMA’s human medicines committee (CHMP) will carry out an accelerated assessment of data submitted by the company that markets the vaccine. These […]
Read MoreEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) gives go-ahead for use of anticovid tablet
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) gives the green light to the use of the anticovid pill that halves the risk of death and hospitalisation. The EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has endorsed the use of Merk and Ridgeback’s ‘Lagevrio’ (molnupiravir) to treat Covid-19. With this approval, Merk takes the lead in the […]
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