Health
Chinese coronavirus jab brings relief, and concern in Hungary
We should be happy to get any vaccine," said Laszlo Cservak, a pensioner queueing in Budapest for China's Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine shot after Hungary became the first EU member to start using it.
Apple says it never discussed COVID-19 certificate app with WHO, EU
American multinational technology company Apple has never held talks with the World Health Organisation or the EU about the possibility to develop a COVID-19 vaccine certificate application, and has made clear it does not want to access private data from such an app, EURACTIV.com has learnt.
AstraZeneca fails to reassure MEPs over timely vaccine deliveries
Grilled by European lawmakers, the chief executive of AstraZeneca, Pascal Soriot, gave only vague explanations about recent supply cuts of COVID-19 vaccines and about the preferential treatment given to the UK, failing to guarantee the expected EU deliveries for the second quarter of the year.
Don’t be selfish – get a COVID shot, says UK’s Queen Elizabeth
Britain’s 94-year-old Queen Elizabeth, who last month had her first COVID-19 vaccination dose, has encouraged the public to follow suit, saying it did not hurt and those who were wary should think of others.
Ticket to ride: Vaccine passports divide world
As European Union leaders debated the idea Thursday (25 February) amid claims that it could be divisive and discriminatory, on the global scale, the idea of vaccine passports, which would allow people who have been inoculated the freedom to travel,...
EU leaders take baby step toward vaccination certificate, fume at pharma industry
EU leaders decided at a teleconference on Thursday (25 February) to start working on a digital vaccination certificate now and start implementing it when there is sufficient number of EU citizens vaccinated.
Airlines implore EU countries to implement vaccine ‘travel pass’
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on EU leaders to introduce controversial vaccine passports to restart the ailing air travel sector, according to a leaked document seen by EURACTIV.
EU Commission cautious with ‘unilateral’ moves on vaccination passports
The European Commission is cautious with EU member states moves to unilaterally issue a certificate offering travel privileges to those vaccinated, EU sources told EURACTIV.com, suggesting instead a common approach.
In boost for COVID-19 battle, Pfizer vaccine found 94% effective in real world
The first big real-world study of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be independently reviewed shows the shot is highly effective at preventing COVID-19, in a potentially landmark moment for countries desperate to end lockdowns and reopen economies.
Paris to bring African vaccine strategy on the table at EU virtual summit
When EU heads of states and government hold an online meeting on Thursday (25 February), they will discuss a proposal by French President Emmanuel Macron to send 13 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to African countries. EURACTIV France reports.
First vaccines delivered under global Covax scheme
Ghana became the first country to receive India-made vaccines from the global Covax scheme, paving the way for poorer nations to catch up with inoculation drives in wealthier parts of the world to stamp out the coronavirus pandemic.
Bulgaria accuses AstraZeneca of taking country’s vaccine ‘hope’ away
Bulgaria's health minister has accused AstraZeneca of failing to stick to its delivery schedule of COVID-19 vaccines to the country and demanded the immediate shipment of at least 52,800 doses that were postponed to 1 March.
Scaling up vaccination to save lives worldwide
It is time for Europe to show real vaccination solidarity to ensure that COVID vaccines are available to the Global South and COVAX in the volumes required and at cost price, write Udo Bullmann and Conny Reuter.
The Brief, powered by APPLIA – The price of EU indecision
With its vaccination programme well underway, the UK is starting to see the light at the end of the long COVID-19 tunnel, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has presented a roadmap for "a path to freedom". Europeans are now starting to wonder: Will the Brits be the only ones on the sunny side this summer?
Two-thirds of French sports fans ready to boycott non-eco-friendly events
Sports fans are interested in environmental issues and brands should take such trends into account, according to the new "Meaningful Passions" study. The study also confirmed that about two-thirds of French fans would even boycott an event with no environmental commitment. EURACTIV France reports.
French association teaches sports clubs to be more environmentally friendly
The French association Match for Green, which aims to make sports more environmentally friendly, started offering training to support sports clubs in their green transition from Monday (22 February). EURACTIV France reports.
Ukraine starts its COVID-19 vaccination campaign with India-made jab
Ukraine started its COVID-19 vaccination campaign on Wednesday (24 February), with doctors the first to be inoculated.
Bulgaria to open restaurants from March, nightclubs from April
Bulgaria will reopen restaurants from March and lift a ban on nightclubs from April, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said on Wednesday (24 February), betting on a vaccination programme and a solid number of recoveries from COVID-19.
Von der Leyen tells skittish Europeans: ‘I’d take AstraZeneca vaccine’
The European Union’s most senior administrator said she would happily receive AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine as officials rushed to find ways of ensuring doses refused by skittish Germans did not go to waste.
San Marino turns to Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine
San Marino on Tuesday (23 February) received a first batch of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines, government officials said, allowing the tiny state landlocked inside Italy to start its immunisation campaign.
Spain closely monitors newly imported COVID-variants as infections drop
Spain’s health ministry continues to closely monitor the British, South African, and Brazilian variants of the COVID-19 virus and has now put its focus on four new variants - two from the UK, one from California, and another from Rio de Janeiro, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
Six EU countries warned over border restrictions
The European Commission said Tuesday (23 February) it has formally warned six EU countries that their virus-related border curbs could undermine free movement within the bloc.