Health
Italy makes COVID health pass mandatory for all workers, facing almost no opposition
The Italian government approved on Thursday (16 September) some of the strictest anti-COVID measures in the world, making it obligatory for all workers either to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or recent recovery from infection.
Alzheimer’s disease tests EU readiness
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias affect each individual in different ways but early detection is always key for effective treatment.
EU unprepared to tackle Alzheimer’s disease as new treatments progress
European Union countries are still lagging behind in tackling Alzheimer’s disease despite calls by the World Health Organisation for urgent action as cases in the European region are expected to double.
Parliament sides with Commission to approve controversial new antimicrobials rules
The European Parliament has given its green light to a controversial new antimicrobials regulation, dismissing a motion calling for tighter restrictions on antibiotics use in animals and allowing the Commission to move forward on its plans to tackle anti-microbial resistance.
Some vaccine platforms can be easier adapted to new COVID-19 variants
For now, vaccines are capable of dealing with SARS-CoV-2 virus variants circulating in the world. But as new variants potentially emerge vaccines might need to be adapted to fight the new strains.
MEPs vow to strengthen role of EU’s agency on infectious diseases
EU lawmakers on Wednesday (15 September) adopted by a large majority the proposal to extend the mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
African Union slams vaccine manufacturers for restricting access
The African Union on Tuesday (14 September) accused manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines of denying African countries a fair chance to buy them, and urged manufacturing countries - in particular India - to lift export restrictions on vaccines and their components.
Greens wage battle against Commission over antimicrobials regulation
A new delegated act proposed by the European Commission to tackle anti-microbial resistance (AMR) has drawn harsh criticisms from the Green group in the European Parliament, who are calling for the use of antibiotics in animals to be restricted.
COVID pass could call last orders in bars for Brussels students
Belgian students are queuing up in droves to get vaccinated, ahead of plans by the Brussels regional government to make the health pass mandatory for accessing restaurants and bars in an effort to encourage young people to get their shots.
COVID highlights need for EU to regulate wildlife trafficking
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the need to regulate the trade in live wild animals, who could carry viruses. In Europe, the lack of regulation on this subject represents a major health risk. VideoPromoted content
Large glazed surfaces deliver more than we think
By providing access to natural daylight and a visual connection with the external environment, glass ensures health and well-being in all type of buildings.
Transgender people are twice as likely to die compared to cis men and women
Transgender people are twice as likely to die compared to cisgender men and women, according to an analysis of national data from the Netherlands.
Nerve disorder listed as ‘very rare’ side effect of AstraZeneca jab
The European Medicines Agency has listed the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause temporary paralysis, as a "very rare" side effect of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
Chizhov: Russia is well-placed to play a constructive role in Afghanistan
In a wide-ranging interview, the Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov discussed Afghanistan, the ‘Crimea Platform’, carbon border tax, COVID and vaccines, and the new political season.
Slovenia, Germany and Portugal adopt schemes for patient inclusion in cancer research
Slovenia, as part of its EU Trio Presidency with Germany and Portugal, adopted on Tuesday (7 September) a document on approaches to actively involve patients in cancer research.
EU takes Japan, Serbia and four other countries off COVID-safe travel list
European Union ambassadors on Wednesday (8 September) agreed to remove six countries, including Japan, from the bloc’s COVID safe travel list, meaning tourists entering could face restrictions, diplomats said. The move targeting non-essential travel from Japan, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia,...
The Brief — Close encounter with anti-vaxxers
This author of the Brief is back from the country with the lowest vaccination rate in the EU – Bulgaria – where only 15.5% of the adult population is fully vaccinated, while the EU average is 70%. The authorities in...
Spain aims to quickly fully vaccinate 90% of population
Spain’s socialist Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has set the new goal of having 90% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible, but has not set a deadline for when the target should be met. EURACTIV’s partner EFE has reported.
Commission insists EU COVID certificates ‘entirely secure’ after reports of French fakes
The EU COVID certificate is “entirely secure”, the European Commission has stressed after reports of false health passes in France being used to circumvent the country’s COVID measures.
The Brief – A partnership for the next pandemic
The agreement between the EU and UK-Swedish drug-maker AstraZeneca, which has agreed to deliver 200 million doses of its promised vaccine by March 2022, brings to a close one of the messiest and politically charged disputes of the COVID pandemic.
Ahead of German election, parties split on strengthening EU health cooperation
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted debates on stronger European health policy cooperation. In Germany, the EU's most populous country and strongest economy, which holds a general election on 26 September, political parties are divided over whether and how the EU’s role should be strengthened.
No urgent need for vaccine boosters, says EU agency
Fully vaccinated people do not urgently need booster jabs against COVID-19, a key European agency said Wednesday (1 September), but an extra dose for people with depressed immune systems should be considered.
Kidney health and climate change: Shedding light on a long-neglected relationship
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is often described as the invisible killer, mostly because patients have few or no symptoms until it is too late. On the practical level, this means that the disease, although devastating for both the individual and...