Objective COVID-19 spread globally, including across Europe, resulting in different morbidity and mortality outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic over 18 months in relation to the effect of COVID-19 vaccination at a population level across 35 nations in Europe, while evaluating the data for cross-border epidemiological trends to identify any pertinent lessons that can be implemented in the future. Methods Epidemiological data was obtained from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and Our World in Data databases while Ministry of Health websites of each respective country and local newspapers were utilized for COVID-19-related vaccination strategies. Case, mortality, and vaccination incidence comparative analyses were made across neighbouring countries. Results Similar morbidity and mortality outcomes were evident across neighbouring countries over 18 months, with a bidirectional relationship evident between cumulative fully vaccinated population and case fatality rates. Conclusion Countries’ COVID-19 outcome is related on national mitigative measures, vaccination rollouts, and neighbouring countries’ actions and COVID-19 situations. Mass population vaccination appeared to be effective in reducing COVID-19 case severity and mortality rates. Vaccination equity and pan-European commitment for cross-border governance appear to be the way forward to ensure populations’ return to “normality”.

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is one of the major pregnancy complications, affecting up to 10% of all pregnancies in some regions of the world. The clinical diagnosis, characterised by hypertension and proteinuria often late during pregnancy, with the added inability to treat (other than delivery), can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in both mother and unborn foetus. Moreover, as yet only low dose aspirin administration is accepted as a preventive measures for PE. This puts more pressure to identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of PE from blood or urine for the non-invasive screening of pregnant women before a pregnancy becomes complicated. Over the years, a number of DNA and protein molecules, such as cell free DNA, VEGF, sFLT1, PlGF, PP-13, ADMA and several other biomarkers, have been linked to specific pathophysiological observations and proposed as predictive markers for PE. However, their reliability and reproducibility has been put to test by numerous studies. The aim of this review is to cover the key clinical and biochemical features of pregnancies complicated by PE and evaluate the robustness of data gathered from various studies in order to better understand the link between the proposed biomarkers and the development of PE so as to better quantify their relevance in diagnostic or prognostic applications. The overall goal is to use such biomarkers for earlier detection, better molecular monitoring, and where possible lessening of symptoms, hopefully leading to a reduction in the yearly PE-related deaths worldwide.