Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Europe's Vaccine Passport Leaves Out India-Made AstraZeneca Shots
The Washington Post: AstraZeneca Vaccine Doses Produced In India Not Included In Europe’s Vaccine Passport Ahead Of Launch
The European Union’s much anticipated coronavirus digital certificate, which is intended to facilitate unrestricted movement across the continent for vaccinated travelers, will begin Thursday amid widespread confusion about how the rollout will go. But many vaccinated would-be travelers — particularly those from poorer countries — do not meet the program’s criteria because they received AstraZeneca shots produced by India’s Serum Institute, which has not been approved by E.U. regulators. (Berger, 6/30)
Bloomberg: UK Covid Booster Vaccine Shots For Vulnerable Groups May Start From September
Vulnerable groups in the U.K. may be given Covid-19 booster vaccines starting from September to maintain their immunity during the winter and help ward off new variants. The country’s independent vaccination committee recommended that the government plan to offer boosters in a two-stage program alongside the annual flu vaccination drive. The rollout will depend on further data and the guidance could change, according to the Department of Health & Social Care. (Gemmell, 6/30)
CBS News: Nearly 2,000 COVID-19 Cases In Scotland Linked To People Who Gathered To Watch Soccer
Nearly 2,000 people who live in Scotland tested positive for COVID-19 after gathering to watch football, or soccer, this month. Many of the cases are people who traveled outside of the country to watch games. (O'Kane, 6/30)
BBC News: Disabled People Forgotten During Covid, BBC Research Reveals
Thousands of deaf and disabled people across the UK have told the BBC of the devastating impact the pandemic has had on their lives. Most said their disability had worsened and more than 2,400 said routine, often vital, medical appointments had been cancelled. More than 3,300 people took part in the research carried out by the BBC. Disability charity Scope said the findings confirmed that disabled people's needs "had been forgotten". (Clegg, 6/29)
Also —
Modern Healthcare: ECRI Wins Contract To Evaluate Drugs In Europe
Eight European countries have come together to figure out if emerging pharmaceutical treatments are worth their cost, selecting not-for-profit ECRI to create a database of clinical evidence behind those drugs. Ultimately, ECRI's findings will help Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Switzerland to decide what drugs should be covered and at what cost. (Gillespie, 6/30)
