Same goal, different paths: US, EU seek max vaccine rates
3 years, 3 months ago

Same goal, different paths: US, EU seek max vaccine rates

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The Belgian town of Aarschot has a vaccination rate of 94% of all adults, but Mayor Gwendolyn Rutten worries her town is too close for comfort to the capital of Brussels, where the rate stands at 63%. But it’s harder for the EU writ large to impose vaccine mandates since health policies are the responsibility of the 27 national governments, and top EU officials walk on egg shells addressing the issue. This is not part of our legal framework,” EU Vice President Margaritis Schinas said, before adding: “But if there is a message that we would like to repeat to member states and through member states to the European citizens, it is ‘vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.’” Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized that supply wouldn’t be an issue, and the bloc would “be ready for everything which is needed.” That underscores that such debates can only play out in wealthy nations, while many lower-income countries remain unable to even offer all their citizens a first shot. “I would be more pleased if people understood why they have to get vaccinated,” said Bojana Beović, the chief of the Health Ministry’s advisory group on COVID-19. “But the main thing is that the share of the vaccinated population is increasing.” ___ Associated Press writers Christina Larson in Washington, Josh Hoffner in Phoenix, Angela Charlton in Paris, Colleen Barry in Milan, Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade, Serbia, and AP reporters from across the EU contributed to this report.

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History of this topic

EU countries destroyed €4 billion worth of Covid-19 vaccines, reveals research
1 year ago

EU countries destroyed €4 billion worth of Covid-19 vaccines, reveals research

Firstpost  

Governments, including the EU’s second-most populous country France, have been reluctant to reveal the scale of the waste, but it is certain that most EU nations have resorted to wasting doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, once a much sought after commodity Nearly 215 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines purchased by EU countries at the height of the pandemic have since …

Spain, France and Norway ease Covid travel rules
2 years, 10 months ago

Spain, France and Norway ease Covid travel rules

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The French Embassy in London says: “Vaccinated people do not need to take any Covid-19 travel tests before they travel …

Austria vaccine mandate to take effect, but few emulating it
2 years, 10 months ago

Austria vaccine mandate to take effect, but few emulating it

Associated Press  

VIENNA — Austria is about to become the first country in Europe to require most adults to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but few other nations appear likely to join it as many turn their attention to loosening restrictions. “The vaccine mandate won’t immediately help us break the omicron wave, but that wasn’t the goal of this law,” Health Minister Wolfgang …

EU proposes to extend COVID certificates by 1 year
2 years, 10 months ago

EU proposes to extend COVID certificates by 1 year

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Commission proposed Thursday to extend by a year the use of COVID certificates aimed at facilitating travel across the 27-nation bloc during the pandemic, until the end of June 2023. The COVID-19 certificates entered into force in July last year and have been a successful tool to help EU citizens travel in the region in coronavirus …

EU seeks to streamline cross-border travel during pandemic
2 years, 10 months ago

EU seeks to streamline cross-border travel during pandemic

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union is seeking to streamline the sometimes chaotic travel between its member states during the pandemic by relying more clearly on a person’s vaccine or infection status rather than where a traveler came from. The EU’s 27 Europe ministers agreed Tuesday on such a recommendation to avoid the endless second-guessing on planning trips to and from …

No vaccine? No cafe, according to new French virus law
2 years, 11 months ago

No vaccine? No cafe, according to new French virus law

Associated Press  

PARIS — France’s parliament approved a law Sunday that will exclude unvaccinated people from all restaurants, sports arenas and other venues, the central measure of government efforts to protect hospitals amid record numbers of infections driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Macron’s government is hoping the new pass will be enough to limit the number of patients filling up …

Austria to Make Covid Vaccines Compulsory for Adults from February, Says Chancellor
2 years, 11 months ago

Austria to Make Covid Vaccines Compulsory for Adults from February, Says Chancellor

News 18  

Austria will become the first European country to make Covid-19 vaccination compulsory for adults in February, Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Sunday, acknowledging that it was a “sensitive topic”. Since plans for compulsory jabs were first announced last year, Austria has seen impassioned debate both in parliament and beyond on the issue. Nehammer acknowledged the decision covered “a totally sensitive topic” …

Macron defends his rude remarks about France’s unvaccinated
2 years, 11 months ago

Macron defends his rude remarks about France’s unvaccinated

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday defended his rude remarks about the country’s minority of vaccine refusers, saying he cannot accept them infringing on others’ freedom. The 44-year-old outspoken president, who is expected to seek re-election later this year, made headlines earlier this week by using the word “emmerder” — rooted in the French word for “crap” and …

France hits staggering new case record, Europe’s highest
2 years, 11 months ago

France hits staggering new case record, Europe’s highest

Associated Press  

PARIS — France announced a staggering 332,252 daily virus cases Wednesday, smashing a string of recent records, as hospitals prepared drastic measures to brace for patient surges and the government strained to avoid a new lockdown. With Europe’s highest-ever single-day confirmed infection count, France is facing an omicron-driven surge that is dominating the race for April’s presidential election and increasingly …

French gov’t vows to press on with vaccine pass despite hitch
2 years, 11 months ago

French gov’t vows to press on with vaccine pass despite hitch

Al Jazeera  

A planned vote on the bill has been delayed after opponents rallied to suspend parliamentary discussions overnight. France has backed legislation mandating vaccine passes by mid-January, despite the bill hitting a procedural hitch in parliament overnight. The government is trying to push the bill forward as the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19 drives a record-breaking surge in infections nationwide, …

France ups pressure on unvaccinated amid record infections
2 years, 11 months ago

France ups pressure on unvaccinated amid record infections

Associated Press  

PARIS — France’s government is forging ahead with efforts to increase pressure on unvaccinated people to get coronavirus shots, as the country reported 208,000 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday — a record fueled by the omicron variant. Speaking to those not vaccinated, he said: “There is really little chance that this time you can escape : The virus is spreading too …

Europe reimposes restrictions as Omicron sweeps continent
3 years ago

Europe reimposes restrictions as Omicron sweeps continent

The Hindu  

Nations across Europe are moving to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, triggering calls for protests from Paris to Barcelona. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin captured the sense of the continent in an address to the nation, saying the new restrictions were needed to protect lives and livelihoods …

France urges vaccine uptake, bans New Year’s concerts
3 years ago

France urges vaccine uptake, bans New Year’s concerts

Associated Press  

PARIS — French authorities on Friday urged people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus ahead of the holiday festivities as infections surge and the government tries to avoid another lockdown. To curb the spread of the virus during the holidays, the government banned public concerts and fireworks displays at New Year’s celebrations and called on people to avoid large gatherings …

EU leaders urge booster shots, seek coordinated travel rules
3 years ago

EU leaders urge booster shots, seek coordinated travel rules

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — European Union leaders agreed Thursday that administering booster shots is “urgent” and “crucial” to tackle the surge of coronavirus infections across the continent and the emergence of the new omicron variant. “The one answer to the omicron right now is the acceleration of our vaccination program, with a particular emphasis to the booster shots,” Mitsotakis said. “In Greece, …

Mandatory COVID-19 vaccines are not the solution
3 years ago

Mandatory COVID-19 vaccines are not the solution

Al Jazeera  

Government imposed vaccine mandates, while tempting in the short term, may have grave consequences for us all. Policymakers in many countries may, therefore, be tempted to follow Austria’s lead and introduce vaccine mandates in the near future to reduce hospitalisation rates and avoid more economically damaging restrictions. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already called for a debate …

Germany imposes curbs on unvaccinated, considers jab mandate
3 years ago

Germany imposes curbs on unvaccinated, considers jab mandate

Al Jazeera  

Unvaccinated people to be excluded from large parts of public life, Germany could make jabs mandatory amid a COVID surge. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said unvaccinated people will be excluded from non-essential shops, and cultural and recreational venues in Germany, and parliament will consider imposing a general vaccine mandate. Speaking on Thursday after a meeting with federal and state …

EU chief calls for debate on making COVID-19 jabs mandatory
3 years ago

EU chief calls for debate on making COVID-19 jabs mandatory

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The chief of the European Union’s executive arm said Wednesday that EU nations should consider making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory because too many people still refuse to get shots voluntarily. “It is understandable and appropriate to lead this discussion now - how we can encourage and potentially think about mandatory vaccination within the European Union,” European Commission President Ursula …

EU chief calls for debate on making Covid-19 jabs mandatory
3 years ago

EU chief calls for debate on making Covid-19 jabs mandatory

India Today  

The chief of the European Union's executive arm said on Wednesday that EU nations should consider making Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory because too many people still refuse to get shots voluntarily. "It is understandable and appropriate to lead this discussion now - how we can encourage and potentially think about mandatory vaccination within the European Union,” European Commission President Ursula von …

Making Covid-19 vaccines mandatory was once unthinkable. But European countries are showing it can work
3 years ago

Making Covid-19 vaccines mandatory was once unthinkable. But European countries are showing it can work

CNN  

CNN — Europe is considering a step once unthinkable among Western democracies: Making Covid-19 vaccinations compulsory for the entire bloc. Scientists are still reviewing data to assess how effective existing vaccines are against the new variant, but Moderna’s chief has warned in an interview with The Financial Times that he thinks it will amount to “a material drop.” Dr. Anthony …

Europe’s Covid-19 surge presents hard choices as winter approaches
3 years ago

Europe’s Covid-19 surge presents hard choices as winter approaches

Live Mint  

As Covid-19 infections and deaths in the European Union eclipse those in the U.S., the region is confronting an ugly reality: Defeating the Delta variant is proving harder than a virus-weary continent had hoped. German doctors and health experts say the rising number of hospital patients mainly come from the country’s vaccine holdouts—Germany has a relatively high share of older …

France To Announce COVID-19 Booster Shots For All Adults
3 years, 1 month ago

France To Announce COVID-19 Booster Shots For All Adults

News 18  

France is expected to announce that COVID-19 booster shots will be made available to all adults as well as stricter rules on wearing face masks and more stringent health pass checks to curb a new wave of infections, French media reported. President Emmanuel Macron’s government on Wednesday said it would focus on tougher social distancing rules and a faster booster …

European states expand boosters, tighten curbs amid COVID surge
3 years, 1 month ago

European states expand boosters, tighten curbs amid COVID surge

Al Jazeera  

European countries have expanded COVID-19 booster vaccinations, launched plans to get shots to young children and tightened some curbs as the continent battled a surge in coronavirus cases and concerns about its economic fallout grew. Many countries are rolling out or increasing the use of booster shots, although the World Health Organization wants the most vulnerable people worldwide to be …

Austria Covid: Nationwide vaccine mandate announced, lockdown reimposed
3 years, 1 month ago

Austria Covid: Nationwide vaccine mandate announced, lockdown reimposed

CNN  

CNN — Austria is going back into a national lockdown and plans to become the first country in Europe to make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for all eligible people as the nation’s coronavirus crisis deepens, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg announced Friday. Asked by CNN from what age the mandatory vaccination order would apply, the Austrian Chancellory said: “Details are still to come, …

Europe is learning a crucial lesson – vaccines work, but they alone won’t stop Covid now
3 years, 1 month ago

Europe is learning a crucial lesson – vaccines work, but they alone won’t stop Covid now

CNN  

London CNN — As Western Europe’s vaccination rollout gained strength in the early part of 2021, many of the region’s leaders touted the shots as their immediate route out of the pandemic. “What we have now is an epidemic of the unvaccinated – about 10% of our population over 12 is unvaccinated, and we’re seeing an epidemic in those people, …

Czechs, Slovaks target unvaccinated with new restrictions
3 years, 1 month ago

Czechs, Slovaks target unvaccinated with new restrictions

Associated Press  

PRAGUE — The Czech and Slovak governments on Thursday approved new coronavirus restrictions that will come into effect next week and specifically target unvaccinated people amid a record surge of infections in both neighboring countries. Czech Health Minister Adam Vojtech said most unvaccinated people will no longer be allowed to show negative coronavirus tests in order to attend public events, …

France steps up virus booster campaign as infections rise
3 years, 1 month ago

France steps up virus booster campaign as infections rise

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy French President Emmanuel Macron issued …

EU says exports of COVID-19 vaccines now top 1 billion mark
3 years, 2 months ago

EU says exports of COVID-19 vaccines now top 1 billion mark

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s top official said Monday that the bloc has now exported over 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the rest of the world. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the vaccines have been sent to over 150 nations, making the 27-member bloc the largest exporter of the vaccines in the world, to nations …

Two Europes: Low vaccine rates in east overwhelm ICUs
3 years, 2 months ago

Two Europes: Low vaccine rates in east overwhelm ICUs

Associated Press  

BUCHAREST, Romania — In a packed intensive care unit for coronavirus patients in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, 55-year-old Adrian Pica sits on his bed receiving supplementary oxygen to help him breathe. In Norway, where about 70% of the population has been vaccinated, authorities on Saturday scrapped restrictions that Prime Minister Erna Holberg called “the strictest measures in peacetime.” Nordic neighbor Denmark …

How France, Italy, Germany, Belgium are dealing with pockets of low Covid vaccine uptake
3 years, 3 months ago

How France, Italy, Germany, Belgium are dealing with pockets of low Covid vaccine uptake

CNN  

CNN — Most European countries have Covid-19 vaccination rates that would be the envy of much of the world. The time has therefore come for everyone to examine their conscience.” France: Health pass boosts vaccine uptake Measures proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron this summer have had a marked impact on vaccine hesitancy. Under legislation announced by Macron on July …

Top European Union official calls for more COVID vaccination efforts
3 years, 3 months ago

Top European Union official calls for more COVID vaccination efforts

India TV News  

Vaccination efforts in the European Union and outside should continue so that "this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated", said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen made the remarks on Wednesday during her second State of the Union speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, reports Xinhua news agency. "We see worrisome …

Will Biden’s mandates work? Macron’s vaccine pass gamble may hold some clues
3 years, 3 months ago

Will Biden’s mandates work? Macron’s vaccine pass gamble may hold some clues

CNN  

Paris CNN — After US President Joe Biden laid out a plan to tackle the worsening pandemic in America with a raft of new vaccination rules last week, the big question on the minds of many is: Will mandating vaccines work? In July, with France’s vaccination rate stagnating and coronavirus cases surging, French President Emmanuel Macron imposed sweeping vaccination requirements …

Netherlands' Covid-19 vaccination rate stalling
3 years, 3 months ago

Netherlands' Covid-19 vaccination rate stalling

NL Times  

The Covid-19 vaccination rate in the Netherlands is stalling. Many other EU countries have passed the Netherlands when it comes to the vaccination rate, AD reports based on figures from Our World in Data, which keeps track of the vaccination figures world wide. "The first thing that strikes you is that the Netherlands is currently the country that uses the …

Once lagging, Europe catches up to the US in vaccinations
3 years, 4 months ago

Once lagging, Europe catches up to the US in vaccinations

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Despite a sluggish start, the European Union’s COVID-19 vaccination drive has caught up to that of the United States, where the slowdown of the country’s once-vaunted campaign has contributed to the virus’s deadly comeback. “I said that I don’t want to celebrate successes, but it must be said that Italy has inoculated more doses per 100 inhabitants than …

Europe’s vaccine passes reveal some pockets of resistance
3 years, 4 months ago

Europe’s vaccine passes reveal some pockets of resistance

Associated Press  

VERONA, Italy — Shouts of “Liberty!” have echoed through the streets and squares of Italy and France as thousands show their opposition to plans to require vaccination cards for normal social activities, such as dining indoors at restaurants, visiting museums or cheering in sports stadiums. Leaders in both countries see the cards, dubbed the “Green Pass” in Italy and the …

Plans for vaccine passes in Europe reveal some pockets of resistance
3 years, 4 months ago

Plans for vaccine passes in Europe reveal some pockets of resistance

LA Times  

A protest against the “Green Pass,” Italy’s version of the vaccination card, is held in Rome on Wednesday. Shouts of “Liberty!” have echoed through the streets and squares of Italy and France as thousands show their opposition to plans to require vaccination cards for normal social activities, such as dining indoors at restaurants, visiting museums or cheering in sports stadiums. …

Europe on vacation, but vaccinations not taking a break
3 years, 4 months ago

Europe on vacation, but vaccinations not taking a break

Associated Press  

CARRY-LE-ROUET, France — Europe’s famed summer holiday season is in full swing, but efforts to inoculate people against the coronavirus are not taking a break. From France’s sun-kissed Mediterranean coast to the azure waters of Italy’s Adriatic beaches and Russian Black Sea resorts, health authorities are trying to make a COVID-19 shot as much part of this summer as sunscreen …

French parliament OKs restaurant COVID pass, vaccine rules
3 years, 4 months ago

French parliament OKs restaurant COVID pass, vaccine rules

Associated Press  

PARIS — France’s parliament approved a law early Monday requiring special virus passes for all restaurants and domestic travel and mandating vaccinations for all health workers. About 160,000 people protested around France on Saturday against a special COVID-19 pass for restaurants and mandatory vaccinations for health workers. Visiting a hospital in French Polynesia afterward, Macron urged national unity and asked, …

European nations impose incentives, penalties to boost shots
3 years, 5 months ago

European nations impose incentives, penalties to boost shots

Associated Press  

ATHENS, Greece — European nations are scrambling to ramp up vaccination drives, using a carrot-and-stick approach to persuade the reluctant to get their shots as the more transmissible delta variant drives a surge in infections. “At the moment it’s the middle of summer, people prefer being outside, under the trees, and people don’t want to sit indoors,” said Sprios Bairaktaris, …

Germany starts rolling out a digital EU vaccination pass
3 years, 6 months ago

Germany starts rolling out a digital EU vaccination pass

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany on Thursday started rolling out a digital vaccination pass that can be used across Europe as the continent gets ready for the key summer travel season. The country’s health minister said starting this week vaccination centers, doctors practices and pharmacies will gradually start giving out digital passes to fully vaccinated people. The vaccination passport should be available …

European Union set to open borders to vaccinated tourists
3 years, 7 months ago

European Union set to open borders to vaccinated tourists

Live Mint  

The European Union took a step toward opening its borders to vaccinated tourists, a move that likely means Americans and other non-Europeans will be allowed to visit the continent this summer. The decision, taken Wednesday by ambassadors from the 27 EU member countries, must still be formally approved by national leaders, which could come as soon as tomorrow. Meantime, Greece …

EU agrees to allow entry to vaccinated travelers
3 years, 7 months ago

EU agrees to allow entry to vaccinated travelers

CNN  

CNN — Almost a year after closing its borders, the European Union has agreed to allow entry to vaccinated travelers from countries with low infection rates, raising the possibility of summer getaways to the continent. The proposals were first published by the European Union earlier this month after bloc member Greece announced that it would be welcoming fully vaccinated or …

EU Takes A Step To Letting In More Vaccinated Tourists
3 years, 7 months ago

EU Takes A Step To Letting In More Vaccinated Tourists

NPR  

EU Takes A Step To Letting In More Vaccinated Tourists Enlarge this image toggle caption Gianluca Chininea/AFP via Getty Images Gianluca Chininea/AFP via Getty Images The European Union is poised to allow travelers from more countries to visit the bloc, as long as they've been vaccinated with an approved vaccine, in its latest loosening of travel restrictions. Sponsor Message The …

Over a quarter of EU adults would refuse Covid-19 shot: Survey
3 years, 7 months ago

Over a quarter of EU adults would refuse Covid-19 shot: Survey

Hindustan Times  

More than a quarter of adults in the European Union would be unlikely to take the Covid-19 vaccine when it was offered to them, a survey published on Thursday showed. The results also suggested a strong link between vaccine hesitancy and the use of social media, particularly where social media is the main source of information, according to Eurofound which …

Europe dares to reopen as 200 millionth vaccine dose delivered
3 years, 7 months ago

Europe dares to reopen as 200 millionth vaccine dose delivered

India Today  

As its vaccination drive reaches a third of adults and COVID-19 infections ease, Europe is starting to reopen cities and beaches, raising hopes that this summer's holiday season can be saved before it is too late. Exhilarated Spaniards chanting "freedom" danced in the streets as a COVID-19 curfew ended in most of the country at the weekend, while Greece reopened …

EU plans summer opening for vaccinated tourists
3 years, 7 months ago

EU plans summer opening for vaccinated tourists

CNN  

CNN — After nearly a year of closed borders, the European Union could open in June to fully vaccinated vacationers from countries with low Covid infection rates in time for summer under a plan revealed on Monday. The easing of restrictions on nonessential travel, which will be welcomed by countries desperate to revive struggling tourism industries, would also allow for …

Europe's vaccination program is 'unacceptably slow': WHO
3 years, 8 months ago

Europe's vaccination program is 'unacceptably slow': WHO

India TV News  

European nations' immunisation campaigns against COVID-19 are “unacceptably slow” and risk prolonging the pandemic, a senior World Health Organisation official said Thursday. Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO's regional director for Europe, said vaccines “present our best way out of this pandemic,” but noted that to date, only 10% of Europe's population has received one dose and that only 4% have been …

WHO says Europe’s vaccine rollout ‘unacceptably slow’ amid ‘worrying’ surge
3 years, 8 months ago

WHO says Europe’s vaccine rollout ‘unacceptably slow’ amid ‘worrying’ surge

CNN  

London CNN — The rollout of vaccines in Europe is “unacceptably slow,” the World Health Organization said Wednesday, delivering a damning evaluation on the region’s Covid response, amid a “worrying” surge in infections. Let me be clear: we must speed up the process by ramping up manufacturing, reducing barriers to administering vaccines, and using every single vial we have in …

Macron: New Covid-19 rules in France as hospitalizations soar
3 years, 8 months ago

Macron: New Covid-19 rules in France as hospitalizations soar

CNN  

Paris CNN — French President Emmanuel Macron announced tougher national coronavirus restrictions Wednesday, saying the country must take a “new direction” in its approach to fighting Covid-19 or risk “losing control” over the virus. In his televised address, Macron said France would be extending the regional “reinforced slow-down” restrictions, already in place in 19 areas of the country, to all …

A New Vaccination Goal, a Hasty Return to ‘Normal,’ and More Coronavirus News
54 years, 11 months ago

A New Vaccination Goal, a Hasty Return to ‘Normal,’ and More Coronavirus News

Wired  

President Biden sets a new vaccination goal, Europe curbs its vaccine exports, and experts caution against a hasty return to “normal.” Here’s what you should know: Want to receive this weekly roundup and other coronavirus news? Headlines Biden sets a new goal of administering 200 million vaccines by April 30 On Thursday, less than a week after the US doled …

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