Commission signs joint procurement contract for COVID-19 vaccines to ensure preparedness and continued protection of citizens

The European Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has signed on behalf of 17 participating countries, including 15 EU Member States, a joint procurement framework contract with pharmaceutical company Moderna. Participating countries will be able to order up to 146 million doses of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, depending on the national context and without any minimum quantity of doses being purchased. The contract will have a maximum duration of four years.

This joint procurement ensures security of supply and improves the preparedness of participating countries for health crises, as has been the case during the COVID-19 pandemic. While vaccines are already available, this contract further facilitates access to a vaccine that offers easy transport and storage conditions. This could be particularly useful in an emergency, as the vaccine can be stored at regular freezing temperatures without the need for the ultra-low cold chain, allowing for even faster and safer distribution. In addition, participating countries will have pre-filled syringes, which will facilitate the administration of the vaccine and allow for a faster vaccination campaign.

Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib (pictured) said: “I welcome today’s announcement, which demonstrates our continued efforts to improve preparedness and secure the supply of medical countermeasures to protect the most vulnerable against COVID-19. This particular vaccine, with a supply of up to 146 million doses, offers significant advantages: it can be stored in standard freezers used for routine vaccines and can be delivered in pre-filled syringes. These features improve the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns, which is particularly important to reach those most in need. Strengthening health security remains a key element of our Preparedness Union.”

37 countries have signed the Joint Procurement Agreement, an EU-level mechanism with other participating countries to jointly procure medical countermeasures as an alternative or complement to national procurement, on a voluntary and flexible basis. This mechanism contributes to EU-level preparedness for public health crises or pandemics.

More information on the Joint Procurement Agreement and HERA’s work is available online.

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