Santa can keep the toys… What we really want for Christmas: people before algorithms.

🤧 The 2025/26 flu season has begun earlier than the previous two seasons, driven by the recently-emerged influenza virus A(H3N2) subclade K. An ECDC study estimated early seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness across the EU/EEA. Learn more: www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/news-even... #EpiSky #IDSky

Every year, @politifact.bsky.social names a 'lie of the year'. This year though, the sheer scale of misinformation and falsehoods has led to them naming 2025 as the 'year of lies'.

It's a big day for #EUHealth in Strasbourg and Brussels. Follow the press conference by Commissioners Dombrovskis and Várhelyi this afternoon from around +/16h on the Health Package audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/ebs/grid?...

Bluesky, what do you want from me? I've been trying to post on #EUHealth related subjects for the past couple of years, but I get very little traction here. For me, social media has to be a two-way conversation so I am wondering how long to keep this up. LMK if you have an opinion 🙏

Most Sundays, I take a moment to listen to the Food Chain podcast from the BBC. This week it was all about wellness claims and an important reminder that health misinformation goes well beyond vaccination. podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/t...

People want Europe to: 👉Protect them against online misinformation and disinformation 👉Empower them with digital skills 👉Equip teachers with digital skills and provide ed tech for schools. Click here to find out more about the report👇 ec.europa.eu/commission/p... (2/2)

Political agreement reached on the EU pharma reform last night 👏 #EUHealth post on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/posts/eu-hea...

Save the date 👇

Living with a rare disease myself, this study is a helpful overview of patient needs in a very challenging space. The EU already does a lot, notably through the support of European Reference Networks, but understandably patients want even more progress at local, national and European level.

New EU plan aims at strengthening preparedness against future cross-border health crises ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

The #EPSCO Council (Health) has concluded. Read the main results here ⬇️ link.berry.social/EPSCO/MR/02/...

Weekly respiratory viruses update: #Influenza detections are now increasing rapidly and earlier than usual. #RSV circulation remains low but is slowly starting to increase. #SARSCoV2 circulation continues to decrease. Thret Assessment Brief on #influenza: bit.ly/47Uultd More info on: erviss.org

Listening to the @politico.eu Healthcare Summit this morning. Glad to hear the focus on innovation and translating that into benefits for patients, professionals and companies. Look forward to hearing from SANTE DG Sandra Gallina shortly. www.politico.eu/healthcare-s... #EUHealth

It’s not too late to get your jab!

Democracy is the foundation of our freedom. Democracy is the foundation of our prosperity. Democracy is the foundation of our security. The European Democracy Shield will protect and reinforce free speech, independent media, resilient institutions and a vibrant civil society. link.europa.eu/C7TDFT

It’s #EUDemocacy package day. More than ever, people’s views are being shaped by algorithm-driven and personalised content. Look forward to seeing how the EU will step up protection for democracy, and also address the blurry lines between accurate, false and misleading content on health topics.

With all eyes on Belém for the 30th UN climate conference this week, it seems timely to recall the interlinkages between human, animal and planetary health. #OneHealth

Weekend read ahead of #EPH2025 (which I’ll be sadly trying to monitor from afar once again)

🤧Coughs, sneezes and sniffles – a sure sign that the respiratory illness season is just around the corner. Happy to get my flu and Covid vaccine done at the pharmacy today. #VaccinesWork #UnitedInProtection

Today’s challenge: how to communicate about crisis preparedness and resilience without causing more public anxiety (during a very challenging time for many)

Children's safety is non-negotiable. We've asked Snapchat, YouTube, Apple and Google to provide information on age checks, recommender systems and app store risks. Under the DSA, they must prove how they protect minors from harmful content and illegal products ↓ link.europa.eu/jHFVh8

Every year, the @nobelprize.bsky.social reminds us that scientific and technological progress is not something that 'just happens', but that people are behind it. Through hard work, success and failure, they endeavour to advance human progress. Love this take from @toniemudde.bsky.social

Learning how public health is also an important element of the European Semester 2025. There is information on health systems for each of the EU countries in annex plus challenges linked to healthcare.

A full day in Luxembourg attending the EU Public Health Expert Group meeting: a timely moment to talk about non-communicable diseases (and much more) on the eve of World Mental Health Day and as we mark breast cancer awareness month. health.ec.europa.eu/non-communic...

The European Commission has launched its Apply AI and AI in Science strategies, a major step for AI-driven research and innovation in Europe. scadv.eu/4MlYCve Many of their actions reflect the scientific advice of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors’ report. scadv.eu/b8kqRDd

The European #HealthUnion thrives on collaboration. Networks and partnerships are the backbone of our shared resilience. Join DG SANTE from 12:15 today at #EHFG2025 to explore how breaking silos boosts public health and strengthens our health security 👉 bit.ly/4n1g7v1.

Another development for the #EUSky community 👇

Physically in Brussels but imagining I’m in Gastein this week. A reminder that it’s free to follow the main sessions online. Registration and agenda below 👇 www.ehfg.org/conference/p...

In a recent Eurobarometer, 41% of people said they were simply “too busy” to be active. Relatable, no? I know sport helps my physical and mental health, so during the 10th edition of the European Week of Sport I'm challenging myself to go for little walks and not get so stuck at my desk.

It’s that time of year again. Remember frequent hand washing and catching coughs/sneezes in a tissue can help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses!

Information manipulation can prevent people from making informed decisions by misleading them. Sharing these tips to stay alert in case anyone needs a reminder 👇 #FactsMatter

Important #EUSky development cc @pweiss.bsky.social

Welcome @sant.europarl.europa.eu 👇

Working with content creators and ambassadors for public health: this is the topic for my morning, thanks to @ecdc.europa.eu. Also inspired by #EUInfluencer debates, are there (more) trusted voices that can be tapped into here on Bluesky, or are we simply shouting into a void/the echo chamber?

Together with many European medicines authorities, we’re joining the campaign #medicinesarenotsweets🍬 Make sure you use over-the-counter medicines safely. They may be easy to buy, but they are not candy. Find out more about the campaign: www.hma.eu/about-hma/re...

Peace starts with us. The European Union was created to turn a divided continent into one of dialogue between 🇪🇺 countries, cooperation, and solidarity. Peace is not just part of our past — it remains our mission. Today and every day. #PeaceDay

It’s not spam, I promise… just a bit of self promotion 🫣 #EUInfluencer

Hanging out at #EUInfluencer this evening: familiar talks about making EU comms resonate with people, the next generation meeting audiences on Instagram and now AI. But even nicer, many familiar, friendly faces that is in stark contrast to the conflict and polarisation on social media today.

I'm seeing a lot of posts about the best timing for Hepatitis B vaccination today (linked to discussions in the US). As a reminder you can find out more about the disease and EU countries' national schedules on the European Vaccination Information Portal 👇 vaccination-info.europa.eu/en/hepatitis-b

Was great to join this event today and hear about communicating about vaccination with empathy. Looking forward to seeing how the training will be rolled out to meet more healthcare professionals. And as a added bonus, I got to meet @lewan.bsky.social in person after following him for many years!

What if human health isn’t the centre, but one part of a larger system? Our webinar explores how One Health invites us to rethink our place in the web of life and why that matters more than ever. 🌿 Replay now: scadv.eu/ADtP9hp

Today's global challenges are also putting pressure on the health sector, requiring better preparedness and collaboration at all levels. Keeping an eye on the informal meeting of EU health ministers this week 👇 #EPSCO

Crazy to think that 6 years ago today the EU and WHO brought hundreds of people together for a global vaccination summit in Brussels, united in the message that #VaccinesWork, and today, well we are where we are today…

What's it like living with a rare or undiagnosed condition? More specifically, how does it make you feel? This #RareBarometer study - initiated by @eurordis.bsky.social - hopes to provide insights into what supports can help patients & their families manage everyday life.

‼️ Did you know the #EHFG2025 is 🆓 for online participants? Join discussions on #WomensHealth, #PrimaryHealthcare, #SocialPrescribing, #HealthInequalities, #AI, #LungHealth, #NCDs, #ClimateChange, #HealthSecurity & more! ✍️ Register now: www.ehfg.org #SolidarityInHealth

“As a medical doctor by training, I’m appalled by the disinformation that threatens global progress on everything from measles to polio…today I can announce that the EU will head a new Global Health Resilience Initiative” Welcome words from President von der Leyen in today’s State of the EU address

🇪🇺President @VonDerLeyen has just begun her #SOTEU speech. "Europe is in a fight. A fight for a continent that is whole and at peace. For a free and independent Europe. A fight for our values and democracies. A fight to determine our destiny for ourselves,"

📺 Where can you watch #SOTEU live? Facebook: www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission X: x.com/eu_commission LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/ Youtube: www.youtube.com/eutube European Broadcasting Service: audiovisual.ec.europa.eu ⏰Tomorrow at 9AM (CEST)!

Beware of “miracle cures” Recent social media posts have revived interest in using alternative medicines to treat various medical conditions. Check with a healthcare professional before taking medications or supplements to make sure they have been tested for effectiveness and safety.