Health

Macron emphasises technology transfer in fight against vaccine shortages

French President Emmanuel Macron proposed pressuring pharmaceutical companies to share their knowledge to fight vaccine shortages worldwide, as an alternative to waiving intellectual property (IP) rights. 

The EU and its member states must impose a diplomatic boycott on the Beijing Olympics

The EU and its member states must adopt statements in advance of the Beijing Olympics and boycott the games at the political level, a group of MEPs and national MPs write in a letter sent to EURACTIV.

Austrian parliament passes compulsory vaccination law

The Austrian parliament voted on Thursday evening (20 January) in favour of making vaccinations mandatory by February. The government also announced a lottery-based “incentive and reward package” to boost the acceptance of the new law.

MEPs give green light to strengthen powers of EU’s medicines agency

European lawmakers gave their final go-ahead to the much-awaited reform of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that will broaden its mandate.

Europe’s mental health in decline and EU taxonomy ‘under fire’

This week our podcast focuses on the rise of the suicide rates amongst Europe's youth, the increase of depression among EU citizens, what has been done and what can we do better.

UK PM Johnson drops COVID-19 restrictions

People in England will no longer be required to wear face masks anywhere or work from home from next week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, adding that scientists believed a wave of the Omicron coronavirus variant had peaked nationally.

New Bundesliga CEO faces COVID-19 challenges amid sustainability push

For one of the world’s largest football leagues, 2022 has been the stage of massive changes: the Bundesliga finally has a new CEO, Donata Hopfen, who must now tackle the massive tasks that await it.

COVID vaccines safe during pregnancy: EU watchdog

Studies of pregnant women found the two most widely used COVID vaccines pose no risk to mothers or babies, the EU's drug regulator said on Tuesday (18 January).

COVAX donates one billionth COVID vaccine, but many donations rejected

The COVAX vaccination initiative donated its billionth vaccine on Friday (15 January) to much acclaim, but this is just half the original target.

Suicide increasing amongst Europe’s youth, governments underprepared

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the mental health of Europeans and suicide amongst young people is rising, but in a number of countries, national health authorities have provided only patchy responses so far, according to the EURACTIV network reporting.

China suspects COVID-19 might arrive in overseas mail

China is urging people to wear masks and gloves when opening mail, especially from abroad, after authorities suggested the first case of the Omicron coronavirus virus variant found in Beijing could have arrived via a package from Canada.

Return of the flu: EU faces threat of prolonged ‘twindemic’

Influenza has returned to Europe at a faster-than-expected rate this winter after almost disappearing last year, raising concerns about a prolonged "twindemic" with COVID-19 amid some doubts about the effectiveness of flu vaccines.

India working on Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine

India's Gennova Biopharmaceuticals is working on an Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine candidate that could be ready in a month or two, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

‘Wine time Fridays’ leave British PM with new hangover

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson witnessed weekly drinking sessions by his staff throughout the pandemic, according to a report Saturday (15 January) that stoked fresh calls from his own party for the embattled leader to quit.

Belgrade to receive Djokovic as a hero after deportation from Australia

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic flew out of Australia on Sunday (16 January) after a court upheld the government's decision to cancel his visa, capping days of drama over the country's COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status.

EU excess deaths in November hit highest in a year – Eurostat

Around 27% more people died in the European Union than usual during November, the biggest increase in a year as a fresh wave of COVID-19 swept the region, official data showed on Friday (14 January).

France: blood donation to be open to gay men without conditions from March

Men who have same-sex relationships will now be able to donate blood in France with no preconditions, according to the Ministry of Health and the Directorate General of Health on Tuesday (11 January).

Australia cancels tennis star Djokovic’s visa citing health risk

Australia cancelled Novak Djokovic's visa for a second time on Friday, saying the world tennis number one who has not been vaccinated for COVID-19 may pose a health risk, effectively ending his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title.

UN chief to attend opening of Beijing Winter Olympics

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday (13 January) that he would attend the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics next month with the message that the event "must be an instrument of peace in the world."

Short shelf lives see poor nations decline millions of Covid jabs: UN

Lower-income countries refused to take around 100 million donated COVID-19 vaccine doses in December alone, chiefly due to their short shelf life, the United Nations said Thursday (13 January).

Africa takes vaccination into its own hands

Prevention, monitoring favored decrease of legionellosis cases: French agency

Cases of Legionnaires' disease reported to the French health agency Santé Publique France decreased in 2020, confirming a downward trend evident over previous years.