Verbatim report of proceedings

Thursday, 14 May 2020 - Brussels

Vaccines and therapeutics in the context of Covid-19 (debate)

  Cristian-Silviu Buşoi (PPE), in writing. – COVID-19 has proven one more time that vaccination represents one of the most powerful and cost-effective public health measure. The entire world is currently waiting for the development and deployment of a vaccine anti COVID-19, in order to return to the daily routine before the pandemic. We have at the moment more than 100 COVID19 vaccine development projects worldwide, 8 of them are already in clinical trial phase, of which 3 are supported by Horizon 2020. Once developed, it is important to ensure swift authorisation by our trusted partner, the European Medicine Agency and work in close collaboration with European pharma sector to provide the necessary production capacity. With great concern, I want to remind you that EU is the region of the world with the lowest confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. One of the strongest drivers for vaccine hesitancy are misunderstandings about the benefits and risks of vaccines, the severity of vaccine preventable infectious diseases and the fear of potential side effects derived from misleading information. Consequently, I stress the ongoing need to reinforce our actions, together with the Commission, Member States, EMA and ECDC to tackle vaccine hesitancy, improve vaccination coverage, promote sustainable vaccination policies, and contribute eventually to European and global health.