MEPs throw weight behind growing calls for an EU-wide vaccination certificate
19 Jan Health

MEPs throw weight behind growing calls for an EU-wide vaccination certificate

The idea, first mooted by Greece, is due to be debated by EU leaders at a special virtual summit to discuss the pandemic on Thursday 21 January.
by Martin Banks
Morocco: A Telehealth success story
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Morocco: A Telehealth success story
MEPs debate EU’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy
20 Jan Health
MEPs debate EU’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy
Aboca: an example of European Green Deal thinking applied to health
19 Jan Health
Aboca: an example of European Green Deal thinking applied to health
COVID-19 pandemic has tested ‘relatively limited’ health powers of the EU, says report
18 Jan Health
COVID-19 pandemic has tested ‘relatively limited’ health powers of the EU, says report
A new report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) highlights “certain challenges” faced by the EU and its Member States since the outbreak of the health crisis last March.
EU chief Coronavirus vaccine coordinator allays concerns over perceived slow rollout
13 Jan Health
EU chief Coronavirus vaccine coordinator allays concerns over perceived slow rollout
Sandra Gallina, who is leading the vaccine negotiations for the EU, told MEPs, “we have the vaccines, they are coming.”
MEP takes aim at UK’s Coronavirus vaccination policy; says it will ‘come at a price’
12 Jan Health
MEP takes aim at UK’s Coronavirus vaccination policy; says it will ‘come at a price’
The UK is seen as having stolen a march on the rest of Europe by vaccinating tens of thousands of citizens after approving two types of vaccine.
Commission must provide transparency on talks with vaccine manufacturers
11 Jan Health
Commission must provide transparency on talks with vaccine manufacturers
European Parliament Vice-President Nicola Beer says the executive must give MEPs “precise answers” to avoid damage to the reputation of the EU and its institutions.
EU orders further 200 million COVID-19 vaccines
08 Jan Health
EU orders further 200 million COVID-19 vaccines
Ursula von der Leyen says there are now 2.3 billion vaccine doses on order from six different pharma companies.
European Commission denies Germany breaking ranks on COVID-19 vaccines buying strategy
08 Jan Health
European Commission denies Germany breaking ranks on COVID-19 vaccines buying strategy
Denial follows criticism that EU has been slow to roll out vaccines.
European Commission defends Coronavirus vaccine strategy following fierce criticism that vaccination roll out has been too slow
07 Jan Health
European Commission defends Coronavirus vaccine strategy following fierce criticism that vaccination roll out has been too slow
While UK has rolled out its second vaccine, many EU member states only just beginning vaccination programmes.
EU needs common strategy for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
07 Jan Health
EU needs common strategy for COVID-19 vaccine roll-out
Romanian MEP Vlad Gheorghe argues that a common EU approach is the best way to ensure vaccines are delivered quickly and safely. Martin Banks reports.
2020 vision: A year in review
23 Dec Health
2020 vision: A year in review
The year 2020 will go down in history as one of the most challenging in generations. Lorna Hutchinson looks back on an extraordinary twelve months.
Contraceptive Atlas 2020: Empowerment, rights and autonomy Event Coverage
23 Dec Health
Contraceptive Atlas 2020: Empowerment, rights and autonomy
Access to modern, effective and affordable contraception remains a challenge for many women across Europe, reports Brian Johnson.
EU agrees post-Christmas vaccination plan
18 Dec Health
EU agrees post-Christmas vaccination plan
However, strategy depends on European Medicines Agency giving its approval for BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine.
Benefitting from early action
16 Dec Health
Benefitting from early action
The European Commission and the German Council Presidency have been shown to be prescient in their approach to Coronavirus vaccine procurement; we all stand to benefit soon, believes Peter Liese.
Senior MEP condemns UK health minister after Brexit vaccine comments
15 Dec Health
Senior MEP condemns UK health minister after Brexit vaccine comments
German EPP deputy Peter Liese took aim at Matt Hancock after his assertion that “because of Brexit” the UK had been able to approve the Pfizer vaccine rather than wait for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to do so.
Endorsing vaping to successfully fight cancer PM+
15 Dec Health
Endorsing vaping to successfully fight cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the EU. 1.3 million people die from cancer each year. Therefore, the upcoming European Beating Cancer Plan is a historic opportunity to improve public health in Europe, but to be successful the EU must be brave enough to endorse new approaches. Vaping must finally be endorsed to beat cancer, writes World Vapers’ Alliance’s Michael Landl.
Inequalities, disparities and discrimination
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Inequalities, disparities and discrimination
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that EU level cooperation is now essential in order to mitigate the differences in Member States’ healthcare strategies, argues Katerina Konecná.
Human rights are key
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Human rights are key
Human rights violations of people living with or at risk of HIV, particularly LGBTI persons, continue to have major consequences for the effectiveness of the HIV response, write Marc Angel and Sophie in t’ Veld.
EU Member States should use COVID-19 recovery plans to drive new investment in education
11 Dec Health
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The Coronavirus crisis may provide the impetus to reform our education systems and make them more relevant and resilient, writes Dace Melbārde.
European Medicines Agency chief says safe and effective vaccine will not be ‘silver bullet’ on its own
10 Dec Health
European Medicines Agency chief says safe and effective vaccine will not be ‘silver bullet’ on its own
EMA Executive Director Emer Cooke said, “A vaccine will become a key component but, on its own, it will not be the silver bullet which will allow us to return to normal life.”
EU Pharma Strategy too focussed on needs of manufacturers, rather than patients, says Michèle Rivasi
09 Dec Health
EU Pharma Strategy too focussed on needs of manufacturers, rather than patients, says Michèle Rivasi
Greens/EFA MEP says European Commission’s long overdue pharmaceutical strategy ‘fails to address’ EU’s true health problems, including drug shortages.
Beating cancer is our duty
09 Dec Health
Beating cancer is our duty
The fight against cancer is one of Europe’s greatest challenges, and one that should be the responsibility of us all. Is it time for more Europe in healthcare, asks Bartosz Arłukowicz.
Post COVID-19, is it time for a genuine European Health Union?
09 Dec Health
Post COVID-19, is it time for a genuine European Health Union?
Recent events have shown that Member States struggle to deal with supranational threats such as the current Coronavirus crisis; it’s time to look at a Health Union, writes Alessandra Moretti.
Commission hits back at claims that UK approved COVID-19 vaccine first because it is a ‘much better country’
07 Dec Health
Commission hits back at claims that UK approved COVID-19 vaccine first because it is a ‘much better country’
The Commission’s chief spokesman said, “This is not a football competition. It is about the lives of people.”
International Disability Day: A turning point for disability rights in Europe
03 Dec Health
International Disability Day: A turning point for disability rights in Europe
The pandemic has wreaked havoc for the millions of persons with disabilities in Europe. But after a devastating year, the next EU budget and the new Disability Rights Strategy bring hope.
International Disability Day: Masking communication
03 Dec Health
International Disability Day: Masking communication
Many people with disabling hearing loss are suffering from isolation and exclusion, because they cannot interact easily when wearing a face mask; transparent masks provide a solution, writes Ádám Kósa.