21 September 2022
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Ireland South MEP Deidre Clune – who is based in Blackrock, Cork City – is consulting top international experts about the continuing fight against Covid-19.
As a member of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the pandemic, the Fine Gael representative is attending meetings at the European Medicines Agency in Amsterdam and the vaccine manufacturer BioNTech in Germany.
MEP Clune says, “this fact finding mission will be key to the Committee’s task of analysing the EU’s response to the crisis and learning lessons for the future.
We have travelled to EMA’s headquarters to quiz management and staff, including Executive Director Emer Cooke, about their role in the development, evaluation, approval and monitoring of Covid-19 vaccines.
The delegation will also study the manufacturing process of mRNA vaccines, at the BioNTech laboratories in Mainz.
This information will feed into the work to enhance response mechanisms, address supply issues, and ensure Europe is better prepared for any future health crises.
While the worst of the pandemic appears to be over, we cannot afford to become complacent.
The EU has recently approved two new updated Covid-19 vaccines, and I would urge everyone to take up their latest vaccine or booster offer so they are best protected ahead of the winter months.
Deirdre Clune MEP
Pic Diane Cusack