The European Commission in close coordination with governments in eastern and southeastern Europe are currently preparing massive awareness campaigns over the need to get vaccinated, Exit’s media partner EURACTIV.com has learnt.
An EU source told EURACTIV that the EU executive is preparing an awareness campaign in the form of videos to convince about the need for vaccination and will be adjusted to the needs and particularities of eastern Europe. The source said the project is still at an early stage but Brussels emphasises its importance considering that the vaccination gap between eastern and western Europe remains large.
According to ECDC, eastern and southeastern EU member states’ vaccination rate remains well below the EU average (66.9% of the population totally vaccinated). “We cannot go on like this, if eastern does not speed up we will never put an end to the pandemic,” the source said.
The figures are particularly disappointing in states such as Bulgaria and Romania, where just 26.9% and 39% of the total population have been vaccinated. In Albania, the figure is nearer 34% fully vaccinated with around 37% having just one dose.
According to the draft conclusion of a summit later this week, EU leaders are careful with the wording when it comes to the discussion over mandatory vaccination.
Last week, Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas told EURACTIV that the summit would be an “opportunity” for leaders to discuss the matter.
“The European Council reiterates the vital importance of vaccination in the fight against the pandemic. Rolling out vaccination to all and deploying booster doses are crucial. In that context, overcoming vaccine hesitancy, including by addressing disinformation, remains key,” the draft conclusions read.
The EU source said that the approach from now on will be either the “Austrian way” with the imposition of mandatory vaccination and fines or indirect, such as the Italian way, with the “Super COVID Pass”, by making the daily life of the unvaccinated unbearable.
According to the conclusions, the EU Council also calls for the speedy implementation of the revised Council recommendations on travel within and to the EU, including as regards the validity of vaccination certificates.
EURACTIV was informed that for a COVID certificate to be valid for travel, a third dose should be taken within nine months from the last dose. The measure will apply as of February 2022.
New COVID-19 drugs to be approved this week
Meanwhile, an EU source told EURACTIV.com that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected to approve more drugs to tackle COVID-19.
The EMA has so far approved four drugs, another four have been submitted for marketing authorisation and one is currently under rolling review.
But the EU source made it clear that citizens should not rely on drugs. “The primary priority remains to get vaccinated”, the source said.
