Overview   Preparedness

A word from DG HERA

In this interview, European Investment Bank Vice-President Marek Mora explains how DG HERA Invest, a flagship initiative under the EU4Health programme, supports the development of innovative medical countermeasures in Europe. He discusses how the €120 million venture debt facility helps SMEs and mid-caps scale up research, clinical trials and production, while addressing priority health threats such as pandemic pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and CBRN risks. The interview also highlights the strategic cooperation between DG HERA and the EIB to strengthen Europe’s preparedness and support breakthrough health innovations.

The European Commission launched the Union Prevention, Preparedness and Response Plan for Health Crises, a key pillar of the EU Preparedness Union Strategy. Developed in close cooperation with Member States and EU agencies, the plan provides a comprehensive framework for managing cross-border health crises, ranging from pandemics and biological threats to environmental hazards and cyber risks. The plan strengthens EU crisis governance and coordination through an all-hazards and whole-of-government approach, ensuring Europe can act earlier, coordinate better and respond faster to emerging threats.

Health crisis preparedness now has a voice. DG HERA has launched Prepared, not Panicked: The Health Crisis Podcast, a new series dedicated to strategic conversations on Europe’s health security and preparedness. The first episode features Commissioner Hadja Lahbib discussing how the EU can move from crisis response to sustained preparedness. The podcast is available in English, French and German.

Dear readers, Welcome to the newsletter of DG HERA, the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, created to strengthen Europe’s ability to ensure the provision of medical countermeasures in case of a pandemic or other large-scale health threats.

In a world shaped by global health crises and socio-economic transformations, health remains a fundamental pillar of prosperity and social stability. In this interview, Martin Seychell, Deputy Director-General of INTPA, shares his insights on why maintaining global health at the forefront of international priorities is more important than ever. From investing in regional manufacturing capacities to preparing for future pandemics, Seychell highlights the initiatives and strategies the European Union is implementing to strengthen global health security and promote a more equitable and resilient development.

Rising temperatures and longer mosquito seasons are increasing the risk of West Nile virus, chikungunya and dengue across Europe. Once considered tropical, these diseases are now appearing locally in several EU countries. DG HERA is stepping up research and preparedness — from innovation in vaccines and treatments to earlier detection — to address these emerging threats. As Europe faces broader impacts of climate change, awareness and prevention remain key to protecting public health.

At the World Health Summit in Berlin, Commissioner Hadja Lahbib joined global leaders to underline that health remains a powerful force for unity. Through DG HERA, the EU is investing in early warning systems, agile manufacturing, and research so that vaccines, treatments and diagnostics reach people when and where they are needed. Her message was clear: preparedness starts with trust, and cross-border cooperation is our strongest defence in uncertain times.

In her 2025 State of the Union address, President Ursula von der Leyen warned that we stand on the brink of another global health crisis and called for stronger international cooperation to counter disinformation and boost vaccination. The European Commission announced a new Global Health Resilience Initiative, reaffirming Europe’s readiness to lead. At the heart of this mission, DG HERA is tackling disinformation, ensuring access to vaccines and other medical countermeasures, and investing in innovation and EU-based manufacturing — because health resilience starts with preparedness, solidarity and action.

Editorial

DG HERA took part in the first day of the 2025 Global Conference on Climate and Health in Brazil, where the draft “Belém Action Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Health Sector” was discussed. When it comes to climate change–induced health threats, the question is no longer if we should act, but how we should act.

The European Commission and the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have launched today the Partnership to Accelerate Mpox Testing and Sequencing in Africa (PAMTA) initiative. This initiative, funded under the EU4Health 2024 Work Programme, aims to enhance health emergency preparedness and response across the continent. As a testament to EU-Africa health cooperation, PAMTA will support comprehensive diagnostics capabilities and resilience against future health threats.

The European Commission has proposed to update the Regulation of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), integrating the financing for health emergency preparedness and response, to ensure a comprehensive and integrated EU response to crises. As one of the first deliverables under the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, the new Regulation will enhance EU support and solidarity through the UCPM and health emergency preparedness and response.

Discover the inspiring journey of Professor Rappuoli, a world-renowned microbiologist and scientific director of the Biotecnopolo Foundation of Siena. In this exclusive interview, he shares his lifelong passion for science rooted in his Siena roots, his vision for the European Vaccine Hub, an innovative initiative born from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the critical importance of collaboration and research in ensuring Europe's strategic autonomy in vaccine development. Learn how his work is shaping a more prepared, self-reliant Europe in the fight against future health emergencies.

Dear readers,

I am pleased to address myself to you as the new Director-General of HERA, the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority of the European Commission, in this latest edition of HERA’s newsletter. I take the helm of DG HERA at a time of volatility and geopolitical change in the world. This makes our work in preparing for and preventing cross-border health threats more important than ever.

The European Commission adopted last month the HERA Work Plan for 2025, reinforcing our commitment to health emergency preparedness in the EU, focusing on: MCM procurement, innovation support, stockpiling strategies, and international partnerships for a healthier EU.

The Commission and High Representative launched the Preparedness Union Strategy to support Member States and enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats.

The Commission published in March a report assessing the work of the Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) since its creation over three years ago. Overall, the report highlights HERA’s achievements in strengthening EU-level preparedness and response capacities, as well as taking on new tasks, such as addressing vulnerabilities in the supply chains of critical medicines.

More than 500,000 vaccine doses have been delivered to five African nations, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, and Angola, thanks to the Team Europe solidarity. The EU’s commitment to Global Health remains strong and we’re responding swiftly to Mpox outbreaks in Africa.

HERA has signed the second agreement under HERA Invest, its pioneering financial mechanism designed to support the research and development of medical countermeasures (MCMs) and technologies to address priority cross-border health threats.