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COVID-19: Questions Answered by ECDC, EMA
Introduction
This comprehensive guide provides the latest information and answers to your questions about COVID-19, based on data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Variant Classification and Risk Assessment
Variant Classification Categories
- Variants of Concern (VOC): Pose a significant risk to public health due to increased transmissibility, severity, or reduced vaccine effectiveness.
- Variants of Interest (VOI): May have mutations that potentially affect transmissibility, severity, or vaccine effectiveness, but more evidence is needed.
- Variants Under Monitoring (VUM): Carry mutations that may affect the virus but are not yet of concern.
Risk Assessment
ECDC uses a combination of factors to assess the risk posed by variants, including:
- Transmissibility
- Severity of illness
- Vaccine effectiveness
- Impact on public health measures
Booster Vaccination Plans
ECDC and EMA recommend planning for additional booster vaccinations during autumn to protect against potential new variants and waning immunity.
Weekly Surveillance Bulletin
WHOEurope and ECDC publish a joint weekly surveillance bulletin to provide up-to-date data on COVID-19 in Europe, including:
- Case numbers
- Hospitalizations
- Deaths
- Variants of concern
Ongoing Changes in Surveillance
Due to evolving surveillance methods, the ECDC dashboard for daily cases and deaths in the European Union and European Economic Area (EUEEA) will be discontinued.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
ECDC collects and analyzes data from EU countries on various aspects of COVID-19, including:
- Transmissibility
- Severity
- Vaccine effectiveness
- Impact on healthcare systems
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