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 […]
Read MoreAdvances in leukemia treatment
EU-backed researchers have identified a protein encoded by the MSI2 gene that could lead to new therapies for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). A new discovery made by researchers from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna could help in the treatment of AML. With support from the EU-funded ONCOMECHAML and ARCH projects, the research team […]
Read MoreEMA finds possible link to very rare cases of unusual blood clots with low blood platelets
EMA confirms overall benefit-risk remains positive EMA’s safety committee (PRAC) has concluded today that unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects of Vaxzevria (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca). In reaching its conclusion, the committee took into consideration all currently available evidence, including the advice from an ad hoc […]
Read MoreCommission welcomes entry into force of EU4Health programme
The Commission welcomes the entry into force of the EU4Health programme. This follows the Council adoption on 17 March and the vote on the programme by the European Parliament on 9 March. It marks the final step towards making €5.1 billion available to strengthen the resilience of health systems and promote innovation in the health sector. EU4Health […]
Read More