Tribune. European countries reacted differently and without consultation to the alert relating to the potential side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine. This is a new episode illustrating the great heterogeneity of the measures adopted over the past year by member countries of the European Union (EU) to combat the Covid-19 epidemic.
However, we must realize that this cacophony which reflects differences in doctrines of action and political sensitivities in precautionary situations is harmful to the effectiveness of preventive actions, and gives rise to a great deal of misunderstanding among the populations.
As regards the cases of thrombosis chronologically linked to the AztraZeneca vaccine, only a European-wide investigation will make it possible to collect a sufficient number of cases to be able to conclude quickly and convincingly. If the European Medicines Agency is able to implement such a study, failing to be able to carry it out itself, the fact remains that the EU does not have the competences to harmonize the policies of prevention of epidemic risk.
During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, the confusion was even greater, as the epidemic’s surveillance systems were not coordinated. This observation led to the creation, in 2005, of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Its mandate was limited to the sole surveillance of infectious diseases, and the agreement of the member states could only be obtained on condition that this new agency had no operational role.
Structural inconsistencies and weaknesses
We can see the consequences: whether it is about confinement, the closing of borders, the role of schools in the spread of the virus, the duration and methods of the isolation of contagious cases, the distances recommended between people, strategies for testing and tracing contact cases, the supply of medical equipment, each country has its own policy. Of course, there are national and regional differences that may partly explain this, but the absence of a harmonized framework of actions considerably weakens the scope of preventive measures, while the intensity of cross-border trade makes it illusory to control the disease. epidemic in each country independently of the others.
Moreover, the role of cross-border crossings in the dynamics of the epidemic and, consequently, the measures which are justified or not are neither studied nor debated. The same goes for checks in European ports and airports.
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