On Thursday 21 December, the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) adopted its 2024 work plan with a budget of over €730 million, made up of around €470 million from the EU4Health programme and around €260 million from the Horizon Europe research programme.
Building on previous achievements, such as the EU Vaccine Strategy and HERA Invest, a financing mechanism designed to attract and leverage private and public investment in innovative medical countermeasure technologies, HERA will continue to strengthen the EU’s overall preparedness for future health threats.
In line with the Communication on medicine shortages in the EU, HERA will continue to work closely with Member States and industry partners to ensure a stable supply of essential medicines. This involves monitoring supply and demand, developing a matchmaking platform, joint procurements and capacity reservation contracts. HERA will also promote a coordinated approach to ensuring the EU’s security of supply with partners and stakeholders at EU and global level, including through a Critical Medicines Alliance to be launched in early 2024.
One of HERA’s main priorities for the coming year is to continue developing and implementing the strategy for next-generation vaccines. In addition, HERA is seeking to strengthen its strategic approach to stockpiling through joint action and a study aimed at formulating innovative and sustainable solutions.
Finally, in the area of threat assessment and intelligence gathering, HERA will expand the Global Wastewater Sentinel System and establish an international consortium focused on surveillance of Covid-19 and other viruses in wastewater. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)