The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on women’s health and rights, so MEPs urge member states to protect and further enhance women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. In the draft report approved by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality by 27 votes in favour, 6 against and 1 abstention, MEPs point […]
Read MoreCommission calls for limiting essential travel from India
The Commission calls on EU Member States to take coordinated action to further restrict travel from India on a temporary basis, with a view to limiting the spread of the B.1.617.2 variant first detected in India. This follows a proposal of the World Health Organisation on 10 May 2021 to change the classification of that […]
Read MoreNew rules on food transparency and sustainability
New rules on transparency and sustainability will transform the way the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carries out its role as a risk assessor in the EU food safety system. A new regulation adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, which will apply from 27 March, will strengthen the Authority’s ability to […]
Read MoreCommission proposes to ease restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU
The Commission is proposing that Member States ease the current restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU to take into account the progress of vaccination campaigns and developments in the epidemiological situation worldwide. The Commission proposes to allow entry to the EU for non-essential reasons not only for all persons coming from countries with a good […]
Read MoreEUROPEAN AGENDA: PUBLIC HEALTH
The EU is supporting local governments to achieve common objectives, pool resources and overcome shared challenges. In addition, measures are being taken to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. INSTITUTIONS MEETINGS DATE European Council 14-15.06.21 Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council We highlight below what the European institutions have been working on to date: [toc] […]
Read MoreDigital health – European health data space
The Commission has published an open public consultation on the European Health Data Space, which is an important component of the European Health Union. It aims to make the most of digital health to provide high quality healthcare and reduce inequalities. It will promote access to health data for prevention, diagnosis and treatment, research and […]
Read MoreAstraZeneca’s vaccine: benefits and risks
Vaxzevria (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca) is authorised in the EU to prevent COVID-19, which can cause severe disease and death. The disease can also have long-term consequences in people of all ages, including in otherwise healthy people. The benefits of Vaxzevria outweigh its risks in adults of all age groups; however, very rare cases of […]
Read MoreVaccine Janssen: assessment of very rare cases of unusual blood clots with low platelets continues
EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) is reviewing very rare cases of unusual blood clots that occurred in the United States following the use of Janssen’s COVID-19 vaccine. The type of blood clot reported, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), occurred in most cases in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). The US FDA and CDC […]
Read MoreVaccine (in)equity – no right of way for persons with disabilities in the EU
Faced with many barriers and less able to maintain social and physical distance, persons with disabilities are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and falling severely ill as a result of the disease. However, in the EU they have not been explicitly included in priority groups for vaccination. National vaccination strategies do not have clear-cut […]
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