The European Union has launched a new “Union Prevention, Preparedness and Response Plan for Health Crises” which is aimed at strengthening its collective capacity to anticipate and manage serious cross-border health threats. The plan builds on the legal foundation of Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 on serious cross-border threats to health and forms a central pillar of the wider EU Preparedness Union Strategy.
This framework is designed to cover all phases of a health crisis, from prevention and preparedness, detection and assessment to response and recovery. In the preparedness phase, Member States will align their national plans within a common EU approach and rely on EU-level coordination to ensure access to key medical countermeasures. For detection and assessment, the EU will link national surveillance systems so that data can be shared quickly and EU agencies can provide cross-border risk assessments in a timely manner.
During a health crisis, coordination takes place through the Health Security Committee and EU mechanisms such as HERA and the Civil Protection Mechanism will organise the joint deployment of medical supplies and capacities. In the recovery phase, EU-level reviews and shared evaluations will help all Member States learn from the crisis and strengthen coordinated responses for the future.
The plan is conceived as a “living document,” subject to regular updating and tested through simulation exercises, the first of which is scheduled for 2026 and will involve Member States, EU agencies and stakeholders.
You can read more about the EU’s new plan for addressing health crises here and here.
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