Managing the risks of the Covid-19 pandemic remains a challenge. While EU vaccination rates have reached three quarters of the population, new SARS-CoV-2 variants keep emerging in the EU. Although these variants appear to be generally less severe, they still pose challenges to health systems. The implementation of a globally effective vaccine strategy remains key to enhancing Europe's resilience. If measures are successful, it is expected that SARS-CoV-19 – while still present – will enter a stage of seasonality, characterised by higher case numbers in the winter months, similarly to the flu. To achieve this, rethinking present surveillance and monitoring schemes, ensuring the distribution of vaccines worldwide and implementing an action plan against disinformation and misinformation could be crucial.

EPRS STOA podcast - Responding better to future pandemics

Nanoparticles lie at the heart of a new method for delivering medicines inside the body – and they were crucial to the success of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines. This new drug delivery method and others could transform the way we treat disease, potentially boosting the treatment of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and HIV, among others. Insulin and Covid-19 vaccines might even become available as pills. In this podcast, we’ll look into new drug delivery methods that could simplify the way we treat diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if novel drug delivery methods revolutionised medicine?

The arrival of the Covid-19 vaccines marks a turning point in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. According to estimates, coverage of at least 60 % to 75 % is needed to establish population immunity through vaccination. But, as regards Covid-19 vaccination, surveys suggest that Europeans are among the most sceptical in the world.

EPRS policy podcast - Covid-19 vaccination campaigns: The public dimension

We know that vaccines are an effective tools. Thanks to them, we have been able to stamp out many once-deadly diseases. In the coronavirus crisis, the EU is boosting research into a vaccine. Here’s how:

This is what Europe does for researchers seeking vaccines

As COVID-19 has proved once again, diseases do not recognise borders… So, with labs around the world on the race to find a vaccine, it is time to ask ourselves the question: What can the EU do to help? Is there a European added value concerning vaccination?

EPRS policy podcast - Towards a joint European approach on vaccination

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders. The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies. To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as awhole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Ahead of the 17-18 February European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, plenary discussed with Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, about how to work together with African partners for a more strategic and results-oriented partnership. The discussion focused on the common challenges facing both continents, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting vaccination and stimulating investments.

EU - Africa

EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss further coordination on COVID-19, climate change, trade, security and external relations. On 11 December the leaders also meet for the Euro Summit.

They discuss the overall coordination effort in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including work on vaccines and testing, they aim to agree a new EU emissions reduction target for 2030, they exchange views on the trade agenda, they address security issues and in particular the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. In line with its conclusions of October 2020, the European Council come back to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and relations with Turkey. Leaders also discuss EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood.

European Council, 10-11 December 2020

Since the beginning of the pandemic COVID-19, the EU has developed a wide range of health policy responses, exemplified by the common approach to vaccines through the EU Vaccines Strategy and initiatives across a range of other policies.

A common approach to assessing infection rates in different regions made testing and quarantining much more consistent. EU Digital COVID Certificates were agreed on and implemented in record time, paving the way for the safe resumption of tourism and travel during summer, and beyond.

At the same time, the EU took decisive action to tackle the economic fallout of the pandemic with funds and special economic aid for&nbsp;Member states, entreprises and citizens.

The EU Health Union is underway with&nbsp;reinforcing the mandates of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, addressing cross-border threats to health and creating a future-proof EU pharmaceutical policy. MEPs obtained better support for the EU4Health programme in the 2022 EU budget, with an additional €51 million to build up a strong Health Union and to make national health systems more resilient.

Effective coordination of national measures as well as solidarity among member states together with the importance of&nbsp;making national health systems more sustainable and resilient are the main challenges of the EU, learned from&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic.

EU's response to COVID-19

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU) address before the European Parliament, taking stock of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered&nbsp;her speech for 2021&nbsp;on 15 of September. It&nbsp;was&nbsp;followed by a plenary debate with members of the European Parliament.

The&nbsp; 2021 SOTEU addressed the most pressing questions in challenging times for Europe. The EU reached its goal to have 70% of the population fully vaccinated, but the coronavirus pandemic still continues to impact all aspects of European society. “We have 1.8 billion additional doses secured. This is enough for us and our neighbourhood when booster shots are needed. Let’s do everything possible to ensure that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated”, said the President of the European Commission and added:" I am proposing a new health preparedness and resilience mission for the whole of the EU. And it should be backed up by Team Europe investment of EUR 50 billion by 2027. “

She focused also on the economic recovery after the pandemics.&nbsp;She highlighted that, with the Green Deal, the EU was the first major economy to present comprehensive legislation in this area and promised to support developing countries&nbsp;by doubling&nbsp;funding for biodiversity, pledging an additional €4 billion for climate finance until 2027 to support their green transition.

The President of the EC addressed also the situation in Afghanistan and promised to increase&nbsp;" again humanitarian aid for Afghanistan by 100 million euro.” Speaking about foreign and security policy, she called for a European Cyber Defence Policy and a new European Cyber Resilience Act and announced a summit on European defence to be held under the French Presidency. In her speech she&nbsp;touched as well&nbsp;upon rule of law, migration, protection of journalists or young people in the EU.

In their responses the leaders of political groups in the EP and other MEPs challenged the President of the EC on vaccination&nbsp;policy, more ambitious climate legislation, social measures, rule of law, defence plans and other important topics.

The State of the European Union debate is always a key moment to demonstrate the European Commission’s accountability towards the EU’s democratically elected representatives.&nbsp;

State of the European Union 2021

Vaccines are a key part of a long-term strategy to bring SARS-CoV-2 under control. It is essential to roll out vaccination rapidly to protect as many people as possible and to lower the opportunities for the virus to evolve further. Any vaccine must be authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The European Commission has secured up to 4.4 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far - and negotiations are underway for additional doses. However, countries are facing different challenges around the disinformation or vaccine acceptance. The European Parliament is trying to keep an eye on the purchase and safety of these vaccines. During June plenary the EP adopted a resolution calling for COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver. Parliament proposed negotiations start for a temporary waiver of the WTO TRIPS Agreement on patents to improve global access to affordable COVID-19-related medical products and to address global production constraints and supply shortages. The EP approved also the Digital Green Certificate to facilitate the safe free movement of citizens within the EU during the pandemic.

EU Vaccine Strategy

EU leaders met in Brussels in March to discuss the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Single Market, industrial policy, digital transformation and the economy, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, and relations with Russia.

They took stock of the roll-out of vaccines and the epidemiological situation and pursued the coordinated response to the pandemic crisis. They discussed the key priorities for the single market, industrial policy and the digital transformation. The High Representative and the Commission submitted a report on EU-Turkey relations ahead of the meeting, following the conclusions of the European Council in December 2020. The EU leaders held a strategic debate on the relations with Russia. The European Parliament discussed the outcome of the EU Council and of EU and Turkey meeting during April plenary session.

European Council, 25-26 March 2021

On 16 December 2021, EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss COVID-19, crisis management and resilience, energy prices, security and defence and external relations.

The European Council discussed the current epidemiological situation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of a new variant. In this regard, EU leaders discussed continued coordinated efforts to respond to the developments, keeping in mind that any restrictions should not undermine the functioning of the single market or hamper travel between EU member states and to Europe.

The European Council also touched upon the importance of vaccination in the fight against the pandemic, including the importance of rolling out vaccines to all and to deploy booster doses.

Participants exchanged views on how best to tackle vaccine hesitancy and disinformation, and on the effectiveness of various measures and strategies in this respect.

Leaders also discussed the situation at the EU’s border with Belarus and Russia's military build-up at the border with Ukraine.

European Council, 16 December 2021

The EU Digital COVID Certificate aims to facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic.The certificate should&nbsp;be available in either digital or paper format. It attests that a person has been vaccinated against coronavirus or has a recent negative test result or has recovered from the infection.

&nbsp;A common EU framework is&nbsp;allowing member states to issue certificates that will then be accepted in other EU countries. The EU Digital Covid Certificate regulation should be&nbsp;in place for 12 months. The certificate should&nbsp;not be a precondition to exercise the right to free movement and is&nbsp;not&nbsp;considered a travel document.

Member states should not impose additional travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as quarantine, self-isolation or testing, “unless they are necessary and proportionate to safeguard public health”. Member states must accept vaccination certificates issued in other member states for persons inoculated with a vaccine authorised for use in the EU by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

It is&nbsp;up to the member states to decide whether they also accept vaccination certificates that have been authorised by other Member States following national authorisation procedures or for vaccines listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for emergency use. The Regulation entered&nbsp;into force on&nbsp;1 July 2021.
 Parliament and EU member states’ negotiators have agreed to keep the EU Digital COVID Certificate framework in place for another year, until June 2023

EU Digital COVID certificate

EU leaders met in Brussels for a two-day summit. On 24 June they discussed COVID-19, migration and external relations, including Turkey and Russia. They also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres. In the evening, they discussed the EU fundamental value of LGBTIQ non-discrimination. On 25 June economic recovery and the challenges for the euro area were on the agenda.

The European Council welcomed the good progress on vaccination and the overall improvement in the epidemiological situation. The leaders also stressed the need to continue vaccination efforts, be vigilant and coordinated, particularly in developments such as the emergence and spread of variants of concern. EU leaders also acknowledged the importance of the agreements reached on the EU digital COVID certificate and on the revision of the two Council recommendations on travel within the EU and non-essential travel into the EU. EU countries are to apply them in a manner that will help achieve the full return to free movement as soon as the public health situation allows.

The European Council discussed the migration situation on the various routes. While the measures taken by the EU and its member states have brought down the overall irregular flows in recent years, developments on some routes give rise to concern and require continued vigilance and urgent action. EU leaders agreed that mutually beneficial partnerships and cooperation with countries of origin and transit will be intensified to prevent loss of life and to reduce pressure on European borders, as part of the EU's external action.

Leaders also reviewed the state of play on the implementation of the EU's Next Generation EU recovery plan. They underlined the importance of full and timely implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans while protecting the financial interest of the EU. They encouraged the Commission and the Council to take the work on the plans' approval forward to enable member states to use the recovery funding to its full potential.

European Council, 24-25 June 2021

On 21 and 22 October, EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss COVID-19, digital transformation, energy prices, migration and external relations. EU leaders noted that vaccination campaigns around Europe have brought about significant progress in the fight against COVID-19.

Nevertheless, the situation in some member states remains very serious. Leaders called for efforts to overcome vaccine hesitancy to be stepped up, including by tackling disinformation, notably on social media. The European Council called for further coordination to facilitate free movement within the EU and travel into it. It encouraged the Commission to accelerate its work with third countries on the mutual recognition of certificates.

Leaders called for the rapid removal of obstacles hampering the global rollout of vaccines, and invited the Commission to further engage directly with manufacturers in this respect.

The European Council addressed the recent spike in energy prices and considered the impact of these price rises on citizens and businesses, especially those striving to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. EU leaders noted that the toolbox presented by the Commission contained useful measures for both the short and the longer term.

Following the European Council of 24 and 25 June 2021, the European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy presented eight action plans for priority countries of origin and transit. To prevent loss of life and to reduce pressure on European borders in accordance with EU and international law, EU leaders called on the Commission and the High Representative to make those plans operational, implement them without delay and underpin them with adequate financial support.

European Council, 21 and 22 October 2021

The European Investment Bank (EIB) furthers the objectives of the European Union by providing long-term project funding, guarantees and advice. It supports projects both within and outside the EU. Its shareholders are the Member States of the EU.

The EIB is the majority shareholder in the European Investment Fund (EIF) and the two organisations together make up the EIB Group.

Every year, a Parliament committee reviews the EIB’s activities and presents a report in plenary, to which the EIB President is invited. The EIB and the Commission have a number of reporting obligations towards Parliament, such as annual reports, ad hoc hearings and requests for information. Parliament was involved, as a co-legislator, in the adoption of the EFSI and InvestEU initiatives.

In the context of the COVID 19- pandemic the Bank has supported the health sector and vaccine research as well as financing BioNTech, one of the vaccine makers. It has joined the EU-backed Team Europe effort to tackle the pandemic in the European Union’s neighbouring countries and in fragile states around the world. Together with the European Investment Fund the EIB has given support to hard-hit SMEs. Now the Bank is investing in a green and inclusive recovery in Europe and in developing countries (source EIB).

Annual Report on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank

On Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will discuss the EU's response to the mpox outbreak and the need for ongoing action with the European Commission. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and nearby regions a "public health emergency of international concern" on August 14, 2024. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a risk assessment on August 16, stating that the overall risk to Europe's general population is low. Currently, the EU has one antiviral treatment and one vaccine authorized for mpox. The Commission, through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, is managing vaccine procurement and donation to affected African countries. MEPs are expected to urge a coordinated EU response to contain the outbreak in Africa and prevent the virus from spreading to Europe.

EU response to the Mpox outbreak and the need for continuous action

COVI Special Committee.- Exchange of views with external experts on COVID-19 vaccines

COVI Special Committee - Exchange of views with external experts on COVID-19 vaccines

DEVE/AFET Commitees - Access to vaccines in developing countries - Exchange of views with the European Commission, EEAS and representatives of international organisation

Press conference by René AUST (ESN, DE), Co-president, Christine ANDERSON (ESN, DE), Harald VILIMSKY (PfE, AU) and Gerald HAUSER (PfE, AU) on reappraisal of policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine procurement scandals

Press conference by Virginie JORON (ID, FR) on the opening of the investigation into vaccine purchases and the non-appearance of the Pfizer CEO at his hearing

Press conference Cristian TERHEŞ (ECR, RO) on the investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the procurement of Covid vaccines

Opening of the sitting

Outcome of the COP26 in Glasgow

Resumption of the sitting

Statement by the President 

Voting session

The EU's Role in Combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World

Announcement of voting results: see Minutes

The EU&#39;s Role in Combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World (continuation of debate)

Request for the waiver of a Member’s immunity (resumption of procedure)

Fundamental rights and the rule of law in Slovenia, in particular the delayed nomination of EPPO prosecutors (debate)

A European Action Plan Against Rare Diseases (debate)

Presentation of the Court of Auditors&#39; annual report 2020 (debate)

Agenda of the next sitting 

Closure of the sitting 

Plenary session

Announcement of voting results

United States sanctions and the Rule of law (debate)

First voting session

United States sanctions and the Rule of law

Government crackdown on protests and citizens in Cuba

The case of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor in UAE

The situation in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya

Composition of committees and delegations 

Second voting session

EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the part-session and forwarding of texts adopted: see Minutes: see Minutes

Dates of forthcoming sittings : see Minutes

Adjournment of the session 

Adoption of draft agenda(1)

Approval of minutes of the meeting of:

Chair's announcements (with EPVote)

Draft Short Motion for Resolution on LGBTI+ rights in the EU under Rule 227(2) -Petitions 0402/2020, 0657/2020, 0712/2020, 0762/2020, 1038/2020, 1179/2020 and 1288/2020. 2021/2769(RSP) vote :16-17 June 2021/vote in plenary July 2021 (tbc) Vote on split votes(POSTPONED)

Draft Oral Questionon Vaccine strategy. 2021/2678(RSP) vote :16-17 June 2021/vote in plenary July 2021 (tbc) Final vote

DraftMotion for Resolutionon Vaccine strategy. 2021/2678(RSP) vote :16-17 June 2021/vote in plenary July 2021 (tbc) Final vote

Petition 0032/2019by K.W-A. (German) on the cross-border delivery of homeopathic products and other medicines within the EU (Possibly in the presence of the petitioner)

Petition 0328/2017 by A.K. (German) on behalf of the association ‘Artgerechte Tiergesundheit e.V.’, on rules on homeopathic and naturopathic medicines (Possibly in the presence of the petitioner)

Petition 1508/2020 by A.E.S. (Spanish) on the infringement of the law on noise pollution by Bilbao City Council (In the presence of the petitioner))

Petition 0179/2021 by P.P. (Polish), on behalf of Contrain Poland Sp. z o.o., regarding discrimination of Polish temporary work agency by the Dutch authorities (Possibly in the presence of the petitioner)

PETI/AGRI

PETI

Debate: Council and Commission statements - Meeting the Global Covid-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and increasing production and

Meeting the Global Covid-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and increasing production and manufacturing capacity in developing countries (debate)

The conflict of interest of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (debate)

First voting session (continuation)

European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights: interim report (debate)

New avenues for legal labour migration (debate)

Digital future of Europe: digital single market and use of AI for European consumers (debate)

Liability of companies for environmental damage (debate)

Liability of companies for environmental damage (debate) (continuation of debate)

The importance of civil justice for the economic recovery post COVID-19 (debate)

Environment: The Aarhus Regulation (debate)

European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (debate)

Fiscalis programme for cooperation in the field of taxation 2021-2027 (debate)

Agenda of the next sitting : see Minutes

Statements by Pascal CANFIN and by Cristian-Silviu BUŞOI, ITRE Chair on "COVID 19 vaccine production and delivery"

Debate - The state of play of the EU's COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy

The state of play of the EU&#39;s COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy (debate)

The state of play of the EU&#39;s COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy (continuation of debate)

Democratic scrutiny of social media and the protection of fundamental rights (debate)

Markets in financial instruments - EU Recovery prospectus and targeted adjustments for financial intermediaries to help the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

Challenges ahead for women’s rights: more than 25 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (debate)

Challenges ahead for women’s rights: more than 25 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (continuation of debate)

Webinar on Vaccines – A united response to beat the Covid-19 virus

Council and Commission statements - EU global strategy on COVID-19 vaccinations

EU global strategy on COVID-19 vaccinations (debate) (debate)

Revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) guidelines (debate)

Humanitarian situation of refugees and migrants at the EU&#39;s external borders (debate)

Humanitarian situation of refugees and migrants at the EU&#39;s external borders (continuation of debate)

Extension of the mandate of the Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport: see Minutes

The arrest of Aleksei Navalny (debate)

Enhancing EU&#39;s external action in Latin America and the Caribbean following the latest EU-LAC ministerial conference (debate)

Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - annual report 2020 - Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - annual report 2020 - Human Rights and Democracy in the World and the EU policy on the matter - annual report 2019 (debate)

Corrigenda (Rule 241) (follow-up): see Minutes

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6)) (action taken): see Minutes

The latest developments in the National Assembly of Venezuela (debate)

Connectivity and EU-Asia relations (debate)

Connectivity and EU-Asia relations (continuation of debate)

Preparation of an EU Strategy on COVID-19 vaccination, including its external dimension

Ludwig van Beethoven 250th anniversary celebration

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020 – MFF, Rule of Law Conditionality and Own Resources – Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 – Proposal for an Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources – Regulation on the protection of the Union’s budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States (debate)

Award of the Sakharov Prize (formal sitting) 

Negotiations ahead of Parliament&#39;s first reading (Rule 71) (action taken): see Minutes

Preparation of an EU Strategy on COVID-19 vaccination, including its external dimension (debate)

EU Security Union Strategy (debate)

The need for a dedicated Council configuration on gender equality (debate)

Plenary Session

The impact of Covid-19 measures on democracy, fundamental rights and rule of law (debate)

The impact of COVID-19 measures on democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law (continuation of debate)

Programme for the Union&#39;s action in the field of health for the period 2021-2027 (“EU4Health Programme”) (debate)

Transparency of the Purchase as well as the Access to COVID-19 vaccinations (debate)

Composition of Parliament: see Minutes: see Minutes

Sustainable Europe Investment Plan - How to finance the Green Deal (debate)

Election of the first Vice-President of the European Parliament (to replace Ms Mairead McGuinness) (vote): see Minutes

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes

ENVI-ITRE Joint Hearing on "How to secure access to COVID-19 vaccines for EU citizens: clinical trials, production and distribution challenges"

ENVI

ITRE

EP Plenary Session - The EU's Role in combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World - Topical debate

EP Plenary session  - EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines

EP Plenary session - Joint debate EU Digital COVID Certificate 44-45

EU Digital Covid Certificate - Freedom of movement, safely.

EP Plenary session - Meeting the Global Covid 19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and manufacturing capacity in developing countries

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Digital green certificate - Union citizens & third countries - The accessibility and affordability of Covid-testing

Press Webinar - The return to free movement - The EU Green Digital Certificate

ENVI Committee -  Exchange of views with the World Health Organization on the European Union Health Union package and the WHOâs global response to the pandemic

Stockshot picture showing what could be a COVID-19 Green Certificate for traveling

LIBE Committee - COVID-19 pandemic Digital Green Certificate

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with  Emer Cooke,EMA Executive Director, on the update of evaluation and authorisation of COVID-19 vaccines

ENVI Committee - COVID-19 variants and the vaccines' efficacy

ENVI- ITRE joint Committee -  Hearing on  ' How to increase the capacity of COVID 19 vaccine production and improve delivery 'Press point

ENVI- ITRE joint Committee -  Hearing on  ' How to increase the capacity of COVID 19 vaccine production and improve delivery '- Session 2

ENVI- ITRE joint Committee -  Hearing on  ' How to increase the capacity of COVID 19 vaccine production and improve delivery 'Session 1

ENVI- ITRE joint Committee -  Hearing on  ' How to increase the capacity of COVID 19 vaccine production and improve delivery '- Welcome and opening remarks

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the event named Global Summit: Health & Prosperity Through Immunisation, organised in BOZAR in Brussels. The European Union and the Gates Foundation, together with Gavi, the vaccine alliance, co-host the event. The event brings together global leaders from governments, partner organisations, vaccine manufacturers, civil society and the private sector, to secure crucial investments in vaccination programmes. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Global Summit - Health & Prosperity Through Immunisation: speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs debate on EU response to the Mpox outbreak and the need for continuous action. MEPs discuss the EU's response to the mpox outbreak and the need for ongoing action with the European Commission. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and nearby regions a "public health emergency of international concern" on August 14, 2024. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a risk assessment on August 16, stating that the overall risk to Europe's general population is low. Currently, the EU has one antiviral treatment and one vaccine authorized for mpox. The Commission, through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, is managing vaccine procurement and donation to affected African countries. MEPs are expected to urge a coordinated EU response to contain the outbreak in Africa and prevent the virus from spreading to Europe.

EU response to the Mpox outbreak and the need for continuous action: MEPs debate

This infoclip shows how the European Parliament responded to COVID pandemic from March 2020 with distancing activities of the European Parliament held by David SASSOLI, EP President until the press conference to present the results of the work of the Committee on collecting the evidence and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to give answers on the impact it had on citizens and their fundamental rights, the businesses, the health sector and international community in June 2023. This infoclip shows illustrations of EP buildings used in the fight against COVID-19, the Green corridor at the Belgium-Dutch border, digital COVID certificates, trilogue on the EU COVID-19 certificate, meetings of the Special COVI Committee, vaccines production and distribution, COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Response to COVID pandemic

This infoclip shows the most important steps and moments of the Presidency of the European Commission of Ursula von der LEYEN (2019-2023). The footage, in particular, includes the election as a President and of the European Commission's college; Meetings with the Presidents of the EU institutions; her main interventions in debates on Next Generation EU legislation, Green Deal, EU vaccines campaign against Covid-19, the war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine, the Conference on the Future of Europe and previous State of the Union debates in Strasbourg.

Memoclip: Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, and the European Parliament (2019-2023)

From 2020 to 2022, the European Union has faced a public health threat with the COVID-19 pandemic. On 10 March 2022, the European Parliament established a new special committee on the COVID-19 pandemic, composed of 38 members. After more than a year of work, the final report is voted and presents its recommendations for the future, based on the lesson learned. This clip illustrates two years of pandemic through footages of lockdowns, testings, masks distributions, vaccinations, digital certificates but also comes back on the work of the COVI Committee with extracts of past meetings.

Memoclip: COVID-19 pandemic - lessons learned and recommendations for the future

MEPs from the COVI Committee (Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future) exchange with Stella KYRIAKIDES, Commissioner for Health, Food and Safety Commissioner on new regulation on cross-border threats to health, a new EU network of reference laboratories, the long-Covid side effects and the transparency around vaccines contracts. In a second part, they exchange with Emer COOKE, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency on the recommendations to strengthen EMA’s response to future public health emergencies. Extracts.

Exchange of views with Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety and with Emer COOKE, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA): extracts - COVI Committee

During a public hearing of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic, MEPs discuss about how to tackle misleading and false information, especially on social media, the impact of conspiracy theories on vaccine hesitancy, the role of online platforms and traditional media outlets in spreading awareness but also misinformation and disinformation around the pandemic. Extracts from the public hearing.

The impact of disinformation, misinformation and propaganda on democracy during the pandemic: extracts from the public hearing - EP Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic left an indelible mark on Europe. While we may no longer live in lockdown or see masks everywhere, the pandemic’s impact is still being felt. Because of the far-reaching effects on our economy and society at large, the European Union's response went far beyond securing enough vaccines. The European Commission rolled out €800 billion in financial relief through the Next Generation EU Recovery Instrument. In this first episode of the chronicle, Alessandro D'Alfonso, the Head of the Next Generation EU Monitoring Service at the EPRS, will delve into the details of this historic package and what it means for the EU. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely. #NextGenerationEU

EPRS - EU Recovery Instrument: What is it?

Representatives from Pfizer and Curevac share their views on past and present manufacturing, distribution and equitable access of the COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. The debate focuses on the activities undertaken to develop vaccines for new variants, the authorisation process, and transparency of contracts. Extracts from the exchange of views with Janine Small, President of International Developed Markets, Pfizer and and Dr Franz-Werner Haas, Chief Executive Officer, Curevac.

COVID-19 - Lessons learned and recommendations for the future: extracts from the exchange of views - EP Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic

&lt;p>MEPS from the COVI Committee talk with representatives from pharmaceutical companies that worked on developing vaccines and therapeutics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Rudolf Ertl, Senior Vice-President Commercial Operations (Gilead Sciences), Thomas Triomphe, Executive Vice-President of Vaccines (Sanofi), Iskra Reic, Executive Vice-President of Europe and Canada, (AstraZeneca) and Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer, (Moderna) participate to the debate.&lt;/p>

COVID-19 - debate with the pharmaceutical industry: extracts from the exchange of views with representatives from Gilead Sciences, Sanofi, AstraZeneca and Moderna

Ahead of the 17-18 February European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, MEPs review the EU’s relations with Africa on Tuesday afternoon. The discussion focuses on the common challenges facing both continents, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting vaccination and stimulating investments. Closing statement by Josep BORRELL, Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

EU-Africa relations: closing statement by Josep BORRELL, Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Ahead of the 17-18 February European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, MEPs review the EU’s relations with Africa on Tuesday afternoon. The discussion focuses on the common challenges facing both continents, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting vaccination and stimulating investments. First part of the debate.

EU-Africa relations: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

The Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Emer Cooke debates with the members of the Environment and Public Health Committee the latest developments in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign (including reviews, authorisations for paediatric use and boosters), as well as recent developments around COVID-19 therapeutics and the general epidemiological situation

Exchange of views with Emer COOKE, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) - ENVI Committee: Exchange of views

Exchange of views with Emer COOKE, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) - ENVI Committee: Opening statements

MEPs hold a debate on “The EU’s Role in Combatting the COVID-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World” during the plenary session in Strasbourg. Closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The EU's Role in combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic - How to Vaccinate the World: closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs

MEPs hold a debate on “The EU’s Role in Combatting the COVID-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World” during the plenary session in Strasbourg. Continuation of the second part of the debate.

The EU's Role in combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic - How to Vaccinate the World: MEPs debate (continuation of part 2/2)

MEPs hold a debate on “The EU’s Role in Combatting the COVID-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World” during the plenary session in Strasbourg. Second part of the debate.

The EU's Role in combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic - How to Vaccinate the World: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

MEPs hold a debate on “The EU’s Role in Combatting the COVID-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World” during the plenary session in Strasbourg. First part of the debate.

The EU's Role in combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic - How to Vaccinate the World: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

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