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February 17, 2021 To counteract the new variants of Covid-19 as soon as possible, the EU Commission has developed a

strategy based on three priorities

: 


develop new "ad hoc" tests and strengthen genome sequencing, which will have at least 75 million euros of EU funds, accelerate the authorization process of vaccines, and strengthen their production both by closely monitoring the work of pharmaceutical companies, to help them and solve obstacles, and by developing a voluntary licensing mechanism to facilitate the transfer of technology and thus extend the production also in other sites.



The anti-variant strategy is called Hera and will become the new EU agency for health emergencies (Health Emergency and Response Authority). 



Strengthening sequencing

In detail, the plan plans to help countries develop the ability to detect variants by sequencing at least 5% of positive samples.

To the 75 million euros that the EU will commit to this goal, 150 million will be added from the Horizon fund for research and data exchange. 



Sixteen European countries, along with five other non-European countries including Israel and Switzerland, will create a network for clinical trials, to facilitate cooperation and exchange of information on therapies and vaccines, and to expand the scope of the trial to children and guys, today generally out of private clinical trials. 



Reduce authorization times

From the point of view of vaccination regulations, the goal is to shorten the time.

In addition to speeding up the authorization procedure when introducing the coverage of a new strain in an already approved vaccine (as is the case for the rapid procedure for the annual update of influenza vaccine strains), the aim is to facilitate the certification of new production sites and a new category of emergency authorization is being studied at EU level, with shared responsibility among member states. 



Increase supplies

Finally, to increase supplies, it is planned to conclude new advance purchase agreements to support the development of new and adapted vaccines inside and outside the EU, develop a voluntary licensing mechanism to facilitate technology transfer and increase the eu production capacity with the 'Eu fab' project.

It is a network to ensure the production capacity of vaccines and medicines at European level.

The project will start with the long-term perspective of becoming a resource for the future European authority.