COVID-19: debates with ECDC, HERA and chief epidemiologists

When: Wednesday 13 July, 9.00-12.30 and 14.30-17.00 CEST

Where: European Parliament in Brussels, Spinelli building, room 1G-3

EMA and ECDC recommend fourth dose vaccination for those over 60 years of age

Dr Andrea Ammon, Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and Pierre Delsaux, Director-General of the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) will discuss with COVI members the main challenges facing the EU in addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as further actions to be taken.

Two panels will include experts from five member states:

– Professor Dr Sotirios Tsiodras, chief strategic advisor to the Hellenic Government on the COVID-19 pandemic (Greece)

– Professor Dr Erika Vlieghe, Chair of the COVID-19 Management Strategy Expert Group, GEMS (Belgium)

– Dr Katharina Reich, Chair of the COVID-19 crisis coordination cell, GECKO (Austria)

– Dr Clément Lazarus, Expert-Advisor to the General Directorate for International Health Security and Global Health (France)

– Dr Graça Freitas, Director General of Health (Portugal).

The debate is likely to focus on lessons learned from the national strategies and vaccination campaigns, including reflections on vaccine hesitancy and challenges related to data collection, the evolution and spread of virus variants, tackling the impact on vulnerable population groups and healthcare workers. Members are also expected to quiz the ECDC and HERA chiefs on their ongoing work at European level, as well as discussing their forecasts and perspectives for this autumn, with the number of infections increasing again in several EU countries.

Background

In March 2022, the European Parliament established a new “Special committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future” (COVI). The committee’s work focuses on four areas: health, democracy and fundamental rights, social and economic impact, as well as global aspects related to the pandemic.

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More information

European Parliament – News