EU 'cannot afford complacency', Hadja Lahbib says on 5th anniversary of COVID pandemic

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - BRUSSELS — The EU "cannot afford complacency" and must ensure it is ready to face new health crises, the bloc's Crisis Preparedness Commissioner told Euronews to mark the fifth anniversary of COVID being declared a pandemic.

The start of the pandemic was categorized by countries worldwide, including EU member states, scrambling and at times competing to secure what they needed to face the global health emergency and protect their health systems from collapse.

Five years later, the EU is better prepared to face such a crisis but more needs to be done notably in how we approach stockpiling, Hadja Lahbib told Euronews in an emailed interview.

Euronews: Five years after the onset of the pandemic, in what ways is the EU better prepared should such an event happen again?

Lahbib: The COVID-19 pandemic caught the EU and the world off guard, with unprecedented consequences. We were able to overcome it thanks to the resilience of health professionals, the remarkable work of researchers and the pharmaceutical industry, and through collective action at the EU level, and with global partners.

In response, the European Health Union was established to enhance pandemic preparedness. The EU has invested in long-term solutions, with the European Commission, EMA, and ECDC strengthening their ability to detect and respond swiftly to health threats.

The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) ensures access to critical medicines and equipment during crises and fosters collaboration with global partners to develop vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics.

HERA also supports innovation and facilitates EU-level procurement of medical countermeasures. Additionally, HERA’s network of production sites boosts EU capacity in emergencies.

Guided by our Global Health Strategy, the EU prioritizes global health security by enhancing surveillance, preparedness, and supporting regional vaccine production. The EU continues to lead emergency responses globally, aiding efforts against outbreaks like Mpox, Ebola, and Marburg.

However, we cannot afford complacency. The evolving health landscape demands continuous vigilance, and we will introduce a Preparedness Union Strategy and Medical Countermeasures Strategy by summer.

Euronews: In your opinion, what are the major gaps that still need to be filled, or what work still needs to be done to ensure that the 27 are better organized to deal with such a shock?

Lahbib: As I mentioned, we have made significant progress over the past years, and we are much better prepared to face a new crisis. However, much remains to be done to be prepared to face the next health crisis.

We still lack vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics for many high-risk pathogens. The EU is working with global partners to develop solutions or prototypes that can rapidly be adapted.

Avian flu remains a concern, with spill-overs to humans increasing in the United States. Climate change is also driving the rise of vector-borne diseases like Dengue and West Nile virus in Europe, requiring swift action on treatments. Antimicrobial resistance is worsening, causing 35,000 deaths annually in the EU. HERA is investing in new antimicrobials and ensuring access to treatments.

Supply chain issues and fragmented efforts still limit the availability of medical supplies. Risks from armed conflicts or CBRN incidents highlight the need for stronger cooperation between civilian and military sectors, as well as strengthening our health systems.

At global level, the WHO and many organisations will have less resources and capacity to monitor and respond to health emergencies, which will increase risks and create further uncertainty.

Euronews: Can you give us an overview of the Joint Procurement Agreement? Have any joint purchases already been made? If so, what were the initial findings?

Lahbib: Joint EU purchasing proved crucial during COVID, ensuring vaccines were delivered equitably across the EU. The Joint Procurement Agreement (JPA) has since become a model for other sectors like defence and energy.

The JPA enables the joint purchase of medical countermeasures by 37 participating countries. It ensures fair access, particularly for smaller markets, and strengthens preparedness.

Beyond COVID vaccines and treatments, the JPA has been used for Mpox vaccines, diphtheria antitoxin, and pandemic influenza vaccines. The Commission is also exploring joint procurement for other critical products.

The JPA also fosters global solidarity. EU-level contracts for Mpox vaccines enabled the Commission to swiftly secure doses for African partners when the Mpox outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in 2024.

Euronews: Before the summer, the Commission is also due to present the Stockpiling Strategy and the Medical Counter-measures strategy. How will these strategies complement the Critical Medicines Act?

Preparedness and resilience will improve Europe’s efforts to better anticipate, prevent, and respond to crises. In the first half of this year, the Commission will adopt key initiatives for a stronger, more resilient Union.

The Preparedness Union Strategy, to be adopted in March, will establish a comprehensive approach to crisis readiness. The Strategy for Medical Countermeasures, set for June, will enhance vaccine and therapeutic development, while bolstering EU security and competitiveness in strategic sectors like biotechnology.

Additionally, the EU Stockpiling Strategy will ensure critical supplies are readily available, improving coordination between national and EU reserves. The future Critical Medicines Act will address supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by COVID-19, prioritizing diversified, EU-based production to strengthen resilience.

Euronews: At the start of the pandemic, one of the major problems was the supply of PPE: we didn't have enough and we couldn't produce enough. Is this part of the stockpiling strategy or the medical countermeasures strategy?

Lahbib: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves and respirators, are essential in health crises. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, PPE shortages led to competition between Member States, leaving health professionals unprotected.

PPE is part of the EU’s strategic stockpiling efforts under rescEU, a mechanism providing emergency reserves. HERA invested €1.2 billion in stockpiling medical countermeasures, including CBRN protection.

In 2022, HERA launched a Dynamic Purchasing System for PPE, allowing pre-approved suppliers to speed up procurement during a crisis.

Beyond stockpiling, the EU is investing in innovative and sustainable PPE and assessing production capacity to strengthen supply chains. The Medical Countermeasures Strategy will consolidate these efforts to ensure PPE availability in future crises.

Euronews: DG Hera has complained that when it comes to storage, the member states are too discreet and that, for this reason, the DG does not have an overview of what is stored in the EU. Could the strategy remedy this situation? How do you intend to get round Member States' confidentiality in this area? If consultations have already been held with the Member States, what feedback have they had on the matter?

Lahbib: Stockpile levels are often classified due to national security concerns. Many Member States are understandably hesitant to disclose such information.

To address this and to facilitate coordination, HERA has established frameworks for secure information-sharing, which are based on and improve trust among member states. In 2024, it organized classified meetings with member states on CBRN stockpiling under this secure framework.

Rather than asking what each country has, HERA projects how much will be needed in a crisis. This allows discussions on how EU support can complement national reserves.

Over time, the EU and member states have developed a common culture of preparedness, enabling collective problem-solving, particularly on stockpiling. In this spirit, we are launching a joint action on strategic reserves funded by €10 million. The action will be led by Finland, with 21 member states participating. This proves the willingness of member states to work with the Commission on strategic reserve issues despite the sensitivity of the topic.

Euronews: Finally, a broader question. Your role in crisis preparedness is vast because the scope of the crises is also vast: what's in your pipeline for the second half of the year?

Lahbib: Crises are becoming more frequent, from climate change to humanitarian emergencies, conflicts, and infectious disease outbreaks. This summer, Europe must not only prepare for wildfires, floods, and droughts but also for outbreaks of vector-borne diseases. We must also be prepared for hybrid attacks. We need to constantly improve our readiness. Preparedness is a continuous effort, not a one-off. The strategies we will adopt in the first half of the year will lay the foundation for a new, all-encompassing approach to crisis management, shifting towards a whole-of-society and whole-of-government model.

In the second half of 2025, attention will shift to implementing these strategies. A crucial moment will be the proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework, which will define funding for EU preparedness and response beyond 2027. Securing sufficient resources is not only a moral imperative but a strategic necessity to protect citizens and maintain Europe’s global leadership in crisis management.

At the same time, raising awareness among citizens, especially young people, is essential. Preparedness is about sharing knowledge and learning from one another. This is why we recently organized a youth policy dialogue, where young people explored how to prepare for crises and what essentials to include in their grab bag. Building on this, we will facilitate knowledge-sharing at the European level, ensuring that best practices and insights are exchanged across borders. Such exchanges are invaluable and will continue to shape how we strengthen practical preparedness at every level of society.

The strength of our Union lies in its preparedness, and that starts with each of us taking responsibility. — Euronews