The European Commission has proposed, in a Communication published on Friday, 2 September, several actions to ensure that Europeans are better prepared to combat a possible resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 cases during the autumn and winter.
The proposals include an encouragement to raise the rate of vaccination in Member States, both in terms of the rate of first-time vaccination regimens and boosters, particularly for at-risk groups. States should receive guidance from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to define in their strategy which vaccines - including those adapted to the new variants of concern - should be prioritised for which groups.
States should ensure that they have sufficient logistics to carry out these campaigns.
In line with the EMA and ECDC recommendations (see EUROPE 12990/17), the Commission encourages Member States to give priority to the administration of an additional booster dose to at-risk groups and to people aged 60 and over.
Health authorities are encouraged to combine Covid-19 vaccination campaigns with winter flu vaccination campaigns.
Member States should be prepared to reintroduce, if necessary, non-pharmaceutical measures according to clear epidemiological thresholds.
The European Commission advises the use of clear communication on the benefits of vaccination and the epidemiological situation. The Commission recalls the importance of epidemiological surveillance, the collection of data on post-Covid-19 conditions and insists on maintaining a quality testing system so that the ECDC can provide a relevant picture of the situation.
The institution stresses the value of robust and well-prepared health systems and attention to the mental health of caregivers and the population.
Finally, the Communication addresses European efforts at the global level. A revision of the recommendation on travel from third countries is announced.
Link to the Communication: https://aeur.eu/f/2wv (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)