201. Expresses concern about the high prevalence of PASC, and observes that the risk factors for developing PASC, its pathophysiological mechanisms and its long-term impact are still being researched;
202. Underlines that, while research is ongoing, the research available implies that long COVID and Post Vac have a similar pathogenesis, as the spike protein of the virus plays a key role, and that both can lead to ME/CFS;
203. Recalls that PAIS now occur much more frequently after COVID-19 infections in the form of PASC, but are also known to result from other bacterial, viral and parasitic infections; underlines the benefit of taking a broader view on research and treatment of PAIS;
204. Highlights that the EU needs a strategic approach to address PASC, focusing on increasing research, training and primary care awareness;
205. Recalls the scientific findings related to PASC and the need for public authorities to concretely support and help people suffering from it, using adequate resources and policies;
206. Recommends the development of meaningful dedicated and targeted research, EU-wide translational research and clinical trials, with view to concrete diagnoses and treatments (other than mainly observational studies) and the exchange of comparable data, experiences and best practices among Member States; recommends enhanced coordination at European level for research on PASC;
207. Calls for the establishment of a common definition, biobanks, reference centres and registries, including a vaccination register with improved pharmacovigilance based on clear EU standardised reporting duties, to address the effects of PASC and severe adverse effects of vaccination adequately;
208. Calls for the recognition of PASC as an occupational disease for healthcare and social care workers;
209. Calls for adequate funding for basic research, as well as for translational research and clinical trials, such as pivotal studies on promising substances, with the meaningful and high-quality involvement of PASC patients to align research priorities with patients’ needs; advocates sufficient resources to design and develop adequate treatments;
210. Calls on the Member States to facilitate support, including telemedicine, home-based outpatient care service and doctors' home visits for families or persons with the double burden of working and taking care of a child, adolescent or parent, and for house-bound or bed-bound persons with care-intensive needs, such as post-exertional malaise in general;
211. Recognises the importance of certified multidisciplinary outpatient clinics and rehabilitation centres for PASC patients across EU countries that take the specific needs of PASC patients into account, including post-exertional malaise, among other things, and that apply the latest evidence; encourages the development of targeted educational programmes in the medical sector and large-scale public awareness campaigns on the existence of PASC as a serious disease in order to reduce stigma; notes that women suffer significantly more often from PASC and are particularly prone to being misdiagnosed as psychosomatic, which is not only stigmatising but can also lead to harmful treatment;
212. Urges the EU and its Member States to address the long-known issue of misdiagnosing PASC, Post Vac and ME/CFS patients as psychosomatic;
213. Is concerned that the mildness of symptoms has contributed to less diagnostic testing and to therefore the detection of fewer cases of COVID-19 in children; calls for a registry of children and adolescents with symptoms of persistent COVID-19, along with appropriate follow-up to minimise the effects of the disease;
214. Calls for the EU and its Member States to take PASC infections in children seriously, in particular the risk of developing long-term disability, by addressing special educational and developmental needs and developing support structures such as homeschooling;
215. Urges the EU and its Member States to consider long-term consequences when deciding on measures or ending restrictions, particularly for the most vulnerable populations;
216. Calls for more research to determine the underlying causes, frequency and best treatment options for PASC, including long COVID, post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, Post Vac and other PAIS and the long-term consequences such as developing ME/CFS and exchanging experiences and approaches in order to address the impact of its effects;
217. Requests the establishment of an EU network of experts on these diseases with coordinated surveillance systems, including data disaggregated by different subgroups from each Member State, including in ORs and OCTs, using consistently defined cases and methodologies and encompassing the impact of these conditions on health, employment and the economy;
218. Emphasises the need for additional funding and prioritised calls for projects focused on biomedical research on PASC and for better recognition of PASC, including research on adverse vaccination effects at Member State level;
219. Calls on the Commission to use Horizon Europe funding for dedicated and targeted PASC research and to aim for cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry and the European Partnership on Rare Diseases to fund long COVID research;
220. Stresses the importance of providing adequate assistance and support to people suffering from PASC, including Post Vac patients; calls on the Member States to provide appropriate support for those whose daily lives or ability to work have been affected in order to mitigate PASC as a poverty trap;
221. Acknowledges the need for improved medical education and training for health and social care professionals working with PASC and for the inclusion of ME/CFS within the European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases;
222. Urges the Commission, the Member States and manufacturers to be transparent about the potential side effects of vaccines, including known side effects identified by the EMA, and to communicate about this, as well as about the benefits and efficiency of vaccinations, which prevent millions of deaths and severe clinical disease, in a consistent, comprehensive and coordinated way, guaranteeing the safety of patients, by, among other things, calling on the EMA to publish guidelines for aspirating vaccines in order to avoid adverse effects;
223. Is convinced that full transparency, the recognition of adverse effects and solidarity with patients is the best way to counter vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and disinformation;