Inside EU Health: World Hearing Day; combined COVID-19 influenza vaccine; Denmark eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV
World Hearing Day: Does Europe need a hearing health strategy; EMA approves 12 medicines including Moderna’s combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccine; Denmark eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV
World Hearing Day: Does Europe need a hearing health strategy?
On the eve of World Hearing Day, MEPs in the European Parliament’s SANT committee debated whether the EU needs a dedicated hearing health strategy, as experts warned hearing loss is rising and widely underestimated.
Professor Paul Van de Heyning described it as “an invisible disability” that “cannot be hidden”, linking untreated hearing loss to isolation, depression and faster cognitive decline.
Dr Patrick D’Haese highlighted a major treatment gap: “Only around 40% of those who would benefit from a hearing aid actually use one.”
MEPs raised concerns about prevention, youth exposure to loud music and unequal access across member states, calling hearing loss “a serious public health issue” requiring coordinated EU action.
Catherine Feore
EMA approves 12 medicines including Moderna’s combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccine
At its February 2026 meeting, the European Medicines Agency’s human medicines committee (CHMP) recommended 12 medicines for approval and issued two negative opinions.
A standout was mCombriax, the first combined mRNA vaccine for adults 50+ targeting both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, aiming to ease Europe’s heavy respiratory disease burden.
“The CHMP's positive opinion represents an important milestone for respiratory virus vaccination and for Moderna, with the introduction of the world's first flu plus COVID combination vaccine,” said CEO of Moderna, Stéphane Bancel.
Conditional approval was backed for Ojemda for paediatric brain cancer, alongside positive opinions for treatments in Parkinson’s, acromegaly, chronic hives, a rare autoimmune disease and sleeping sickness. Six biosimilars were also recommended, expanding access.
Catherine Feore
Denmark eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV
Denmark has become the first European Union nation certified by the World Health Organization for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. The milestone recognizes years of sustained investment in maternal health and universal prenatal screening.
“The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis marks a major public health achievement for Denmark,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “This milestone demonstrates that with strong political commitment and consistent investment in primary care […] countries can protect every pregnant woman and newborn.”
WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said, “Denmark has met these benchmarks through strong antenatal care, reliable data systems and respect for women’s rights.”
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