ZEPAI Welcomes HERA Delegation for Exchange on the Future of Pandemic Preparedness

Source: Paul-Ehrlich-Institut

The COVID-19 pandemic cost the Federal Republic of Germany billions of euros and revealed how crucial robust preparedness is – both at the national and EU levels – in order to minimise economic and societal damage during future pandemics. To discuss the current state of affairs as well as future steps to strengthen German and European Union pandemic readiness, a delegation from HERA visited ZEPAI on 3 December 2025. During the meeting, ZEPAI provided an overview of its activities related to the pandemic preparedness contracts with vaccine manufacturers that it oversees. These pandemic preparedness contracts are intended to ensure that, in the event of a pandemic, sufficient quantities of vaccines can be produced as quickly as possible and are therefore an essential component of Germany’s pandemic preparedness strategy.

ZEPAI’s contribution to the European Vaccines Hub for Pandemic Readiness

The European Vaccines Hub for Pandemic Readiness (EVH), established in 2025 and financed by HERA, functions as a consortium linking all stakeholders along the development chain of potential pandemic vaccines. Against this backdrop, ZEPAI presented the project’s progress within its area of responsibility. ZEPAI is responsible within the EVH for establishing a network of European production facilities that are prepared to manufacture vaccines – and potentially antibodies in the future – rapidly in a crisis. In this context, ZEPAI and the HERA delegation discussed how national and European manufacturing capacities could be integrated into the EVH and how synergies between the pandemic preparedness contracts and European procurement contracts might be leveraged.

Digitalisation to support optimal supply of pandemic vaccines

ZEPAI also presented the progress made in its digitalisation strategy for vaccine distribution to the HERA delegation. In addition to managing the pandemic preparedness contracts, ZEPAI is responsible for the central procurement and distribution of vaccines in the event of a pandemic. According to ZEPAI’s vision, in the future digital solutions will enable real-time national tracking of supply chains (e.g., for pandemic vaccines) to ensure optimal supply during a pandemic.

ZEPAI and HERA concluded the meeting by jointly emphasising their strong cooperation and agreed to further coordination on pandemic preparedness in the near future. Subsequent discussions will include exchanges on new scientific developments and technologies playing a crucial role in ensuring readiness for future pandemics and health emergencies.