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 MoreHumanitarian Aid: €64 million for most vulnerable in Southern Africa
The Commission is providing €64.7 million in humanitarian aid for countries in the southern Africa region to help support people in need dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, extreme weather conditions such as persistent drought in the region and other crises. Financing projects by country Funding from this aid package will go for humanitarian projects in […]
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 MoreMEPs want more role for EU in improving public health
In a debate on public health strategy, MEPs pointed out that the pandemic has shown that the EU needs better tools to deal with health emergencies. MEPs discussed the issue with Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides and the German Presidency of the Council, before voting on Friday on a resolution on the public health strategy following […]
Read MoreCommission and EIB provide CureVac with a €75 million financing for vaccine development and expansion of manufacturing
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and CureVac, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of transformative medicines based on optimised mRNA, entered into a €75 million loan agreement to support the Company’s ongoing development of vaccines against infectious diseases, including its vaccine candidate CVnCoV aimed at preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections. El préstamo, además, apoyará los […]
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 […]
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