Today, HERA has signed a joint procurement framework contract to supply up to 665,000 doses of the zoonotic influenza (avian flu) vaccine from Seqirus, with an option for an additional 40 million doses. This contract, aimed at preventing avian flu, ensures that participating Member States have access to medical countermeasures if needed.
Fifteen EU and EEA Member States are involved in this procurement with Seqirus UK Ltd. Each country can order vaccines based on their public health needs, with the contract running for up to four years. Initial shipments are being prepared for Finland to vaccinate workers at risk of exposure, with other countries to follow. Seqirus UK Ltd has an EU-wide modified marketing authorization for this vaccine, which protects against H5 strains of the influenza A virus. The EU’s Joint procurement mechanism, established by the Joint Procurement Agreement for Medical Countermeasures, allows countries to jointly procure medical countermeasures, ensuring equitable access, balanced prices and improved supply security.
Avian influenza in birds can have significant animal health and economic consequences, leading to substantial production losses in infected farms. Avian flu viruses possess a heightened ability to evolve, mutate, and combine with other avian influenza viruses. This increases the risk of new, more infectious strains emerging, or strains with the potential to infect other species, including humans. The vaccine targets those most at risk of avian influenza, such as poultry farm workers and veterinarians, aiming to prevent potential outbreaks in Europe. It is the only authorized preventive zoonotic avian influenza vaccine in the EU.
On this occasion, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides emphasised the importance of protecting high-risk groups, highlighting EU's readiness and commitment to safeguard public health and economic stability: "Today we announce an agreement on behalf of participating countries to secure access to over 40 million doses of avian influenza vaccine. Our European Health Union serves to protect people’s lives and livelihoods, and being prepared for health threats is at the core of our work."
This agreement enhances EU-level preparedness for public health crises or pandemics, enhancing supply security and allowing for a rapid and organised response to potential health threats, minimising the risk of vaccine shortages during critical periods. It further strengthens the overall resilience of the EU public health infrastructure, promoting solidarity and cooperation among Member States in the face of cross-border health emergencies.
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Details
- Publication date
- 11 June 2024
- Author
- Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority