Brussels, 25 August 2022
Parliament’s special committee on COVID-19 (COVI) will exchange views with the Commission and health ministers from Belgium, Finland and Romania.
When: Tuesday, 30 August 2022, 9.00 – 12.30 and 15.30 – 18.30
Where: European Parliament in Brussels, Spinelli building, room 1G-3
COVI members will discuss with Sandra Gallina, Director-General for Health and Food Safety, European Commission, and ministers from three EU countries national perspectives and the EU response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Aki Lindén, Finnish Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services
- Prof. Alexandru Rafila, Romanian Minister of Health
- Prof. Frank Vandenbroucke, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Social Affairs
The debate is likely to focus on the main lessons and best practices regarding national vaccination strategies, the level of coordination and solidarity among member states and the readiness of health systems to deal with the pandemic and future cross-border health threats. EU aspects such as joint procurement procedures, advance purchase agreements and the COVID-19 Therapeutics Strategy in the development of accessible and affordable products will also be discussed. Members are expected to ask more details about how the different countries addressed several challenges, including staff shortages and the availability of medicines and medical devices, caring for patients with non-communicable diseases, providing mental health services and recognising vaccination certificates for clinical trials participants.
The full agenda is available here.
You can watch the debate live: 9.00 – 12.30 and 15.30 – 18.30.
Background for subscribers
In March 2022, the European Parliament established a new “Special committee on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future” (COVI). The committee’s work focuses on four areas: health, democracy and fundamental rights, social and economic impact, as well as global aspects related to the pandemic.
Further information