Vaccination
Industry disputes claims that waiving IP rights will ensure availability of medicines
The European Commission is leading talks on a waiver of intellectual property (IP) rights on COVID vaccines and treatments. However, critics from the pharmaceutical industry argue that changes to the current IP system could jeopardise research and development in their sector.
EU defends IP waiver compromise amid pressure on India, South Africa to reject it
A broad international platform of activists, unions and experts has urged India and South Africa to reject the leaked compromise on intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines, which the European Commission considers the ‘most promising path’ to sort out the issue.
Better tools are need to end tuberculosis and anti-microbial resistance
We need better tools to end TB and AMR, and the EU can and must lead these efforts, writes Nicolae Ștefănuță.
South Africa urged to reject EU offer on COVID waiver
Leading economists have urged South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to reject an EU and US compromise that would provide a temporary waiver on the intellectual property rights on COVID vaccines, warning that “a bad deal is worse than no deal".
COVAX vaccine supply outstrips demand for the first time
The global project to share COVID-19 vaccines is struggling to place more than 300 million doses in the latest sign the problem with vaccinating the world is now more about demand than supply.
Moderna eyes COVID booster by August, not clear yet if Omicron-specific needed
An Omicron-specific booster could be ready by August, the CEO of U.S. biotech firm Moderna told Reuters, but the firm is still gathering clinical data to determine whether that vaccine would offer better protection than a new dose of the existing jab.
EU, Africa at odds over vaccine patents ahead of summit
The EU on Monday (14 February) stood by its refusal to lift patent protections on Covid vaccines, just days ahead of a summit with African Union countries who see the issue as a priority.
Paris, Brussels ban Canada-style Covid ‘freedom convoys’
Paris police said Thursday (10 February) they would ban so-called "freedom convoys" inspired by a truckers' protest against coronavirus restrictions that has paralysed the Canadian capital Ottawa.
EU pushes for COVID vaccinations in Africa as supply ‘no longer’ a problem
Top European Union officials said on Wednesday (9 February) low absorption of COVID-19 vaccines in African countries had become the main problem in the global vaccine rollout following a recent increase in supplies of jabs.
COVID vaccine tracker should be applied to 40 other vaccines, says ECDC
EU countries need to further develop tracking tools to monitor vaccine rates, the director of the EU's infectious disease agency (ECDC) said, amongst talks of centring the role of digital health in preventative care.
German vaccine commission recommends Novavax vaccine for adults
Germany's expert panel on vaccine use (STIKO) on Thursday (3 February) recommended Novavax's protein-based COVID-19 vaccine for basic immunisation for people over 18.
EU watchdog accuses Commission of maladministration over texts to Pfizer CEO
The European Commission's denial of access to text messages between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla amounts to ‘maladministration’, the EU Ombudsman found.
EU countries update travel rules, scrapping additional COVID restrictions
Holders of a valid EU digital COVID certificate should not be subjected to additional restrictions such as quarantine when entering another member state, EU ministers agreed on Tuesday (25 January).
European External Action Service damaged following COVID curbs protest
The building of the European External Action Service was damaged by violent demonstrators on Sunday (23 January) during protests against COVID-19 restrictions with participants from across the EU.
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.
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).
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
Africa can’t rely on wealthy nations for help in the face of empty promises, and vaccine hoarding writes Peter Burdin, former BBC Africa bureau editor.
To avoid more COVID-19 variants, we must vaccinate Africa
The rapid spread of the Omicron variant has reminded us that the pandemic will not be over until all countries have vaccinated their people. The EU should focus its attention on vaccinating Africa, writes Professor Alberto Mantovani.
French opposition suspends vaccine pass debate, delays launch
French opposition MPs have managed to suspend a parliamentary session meant to discuss a bill on the so-called "vaccine pass", throwing off course President Emmanuel Macron's ruling party's plans to quickly push it through
Bulgaria offers cash reward to boost vaccination rates among pensioners
Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said that elderly people who get a COVID-19 shot will be eligible for a cash reward as part of his government's drive to boost the vaccination rates, the lowest in the European Union.
Rich countries fail to agree aid price for COVID-19 vaccine donations
Wealthy states were stuck at an impasse after failing at a meeting on Tuesday (December 21) to agree on new rules that would allow them to report the donation of surplus COVID-19 vaccines as aid.