The European Commission and the US Department of Health and Human Services have signed an administrative agreement to strengthen cooperation on preparedness and response to public health threats, the Commission announced on Thursday 9 June.
The agreement will enable the two institutions to collaborate on epidemic and supply chain information, research and innovation, and the production of medical countermeasures, including vaccines and treatments.
Both parties will intensify their cooperation in: - reviewing joint threat assessments, with a view to identifying at least one major public health threat to collaborate on each year; - sharing secure data for global surveillance, with the aim of the early detection of emerging health threats; - support for procurement activities, including the evaluation of vaccine platforms; - the exchange of best practices on vaccine arrangements.
The coordination of support for research and development of innovative medical countermeasures, support for third countries in preparing for and responding to public health threats, and the fight against misinformation and disinformation on health threats, through the exchange of best practices and the launch of joint actions, will also be strengthened. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)