Corona Vaccinations

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Court of Auditors criticizes vaccine procurement
The EU Commission has not sufficiently addressed the shortcomings in the procurement of Covid vaccines. This is the conclusion of the European Court of Auditors in a special report that reviews the experience of the Covid years 2020 and 2021.The EU Commission did manage to build up a broad range of Covid vaccines and secure […] continue reading →
EMA wants to approve two vaccines against Omicron
Two vaccines specifically designed for the COVID-19 variant Omicron are on the verge of approval in the EU, according to information available to Europe.Table. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected to grant clearance for the vaccines from Biontech/Pfizer and Moderna on Thursday. The EU has concluded supply agreements with both manufacturers. Therefore, the adapted […] continue reading →
Von der Leyen criticized for handling text messages
Ursula von der Leyen’s EU Commission is facing serious accusations in connection with text messages about vaccine purchases worth billions of euros. The handling of a text inspection request leaves “the unfortunate impression of an EU institution stonewalling on matters of significant public interest,” European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly announced Thursday.Specifically, the deal involves up to […] continue reading →
EU authorities recommend second COVID booster for over 60-year-olds
European Union health authorities are recommending that all people over 60 receive a second COVID booster vaccination. “It is crucial that everyone above 60 and all vulnerable persons come forth for a second booster dose as quickly as possible,” EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said on Monday.At present, according to the European health authority ECDC, […] continue reading →
Commission: prepare for the next phase of the pandemic
EU countries should remain vigilant despite falling COVID-19 numbers, according to the European Commission. The Brussels-based agency on Wednesday unveiled a guide for transitioning from the COVID-19 emergency of recent months and years to a more long-term approach to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are entering a new phase of the pandemic as we have gradually […] continue reading →
Vaccine contracts: Green MEPs sue EU Commission
Greens/EFA members Jutta Paulus, Tilly Metz, Margrete Auken, Michèle Rivasi, and Kim van Sparrentak have filed a complaint against the European Commission with the European Court of Justice. They are demanding access to the full contracts for the purchase of Covid 19 vaccines, which so far are only available in redacted versions. “Secrecy is a […] continue reading →
AstraZeneca’s COVID drug ahead of EU approval
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected to greenlight AstraZeneca’s drug Evusheld, an antibody-based injection to prevent COVID-19 infection, this week. That’s according to two people familiar with the review. The drug has already been approved in the US and UK, and was originally expected to be available in Europe by the end of February. […] continue reading →
Liese: no supply contracts for COVID drug Paxlovid
It is expected that on Thursday, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will decide whether to approve Pfizer’s COVID drug Paxlovid. This was said by Peter Liese, a member of the EU Parliament, in an interview with journalists. He expects that after a positive EMA vote, the EU Commission will formally approve the drug on the […] continue reading →
COVID: Most EU countries back partial vaccine mandate
Austria was the first EU country to adopt a general COVID-19 vaccination requirement. In other countries, however, a partial vaccine mandate for certain occupational and/or age groups is much more likely. In Germany, the discussion about a general vaccine requirement recently picked up steam again. However, the outcome is uncertain. continue reading →
EU vaccination certificate valid for nine months without booster
The European Union’s COVID vaccination passport is to be valid for nine months without a booster. This regulation is binding for the 27 member states as of February 1st, according to a decision by the EU Commission, as the authority announced on Tuesday. After a booster vaccination, the validity is extended indefinitely so far because […] continue reading →
Fourth COVID wave generates new unilateral action by member states
Yesterday's EU summit was supposed to be about a coordinated approach by the member states to the pandemic. Yet, some countries are already implementing their own measures. The Commission fears a "fragmentation" of the rules. continue reading →
EU states want vaccination certificates to be valid for nine months
EU states want to limit the validity of COVID vaccination certificates for travel to nine months, according to insiders. A commission representative and an EU diplomat told Reuters news agency on Thursday that EU governments are expected to agree on this as early as this Friday. However, some countries with lower vaccination rates are still […] continue reading →