The European Union is enhancing its health preparedness with the new Union Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Plan for Health Crises. This plan provides policycreaters and crisis managers with tools for coordinated action to protect public health during emergencies.
The plan implements the EU Preparedness Union Strategy through a whole-of-government approach, guided by the One Health principle. The Niinistö Report emphasised the urgent required for Europe to strengthen its preparedness for security challenges, particularly in health, and recognised this as a shared responsibility among EU Member States. Based on Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, it facilitates effective responses to serious cross-border health threats.
It addresses various health hazards—natural, accidental, or intentional—and outlines the EU’s governance framework for crisis management.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of anticipating threats and being ready to react quickly and effectively when crises strike. By linking national and EU efforts better, today’s Union Plan gives us a solid set of tools to prepare for, prevent and respond to health crisis more robustly. This will support to manage impacts, protect people and support recovery,” explained Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare.
The toolkit includes:
Prevention and Preparedness: Support for health system resilience and the distribution of medical countermeasures.
Detection and Assessment: EU-level surveillance and early warning systems.
Response: Coordination and resource deployment during health emergencies.
Recovery: Evaluation of responses and support for rebuilding efforts across the EU.
The Union Plan builds on lessons from COVID-19, stressing the required for national health crisis strategies aligned with EU frameworks. It will be regularly updated in response to new challenges and tested through simulation exercises, with the first scheduled for 2026 and involving Member States and stakeholders.
This plan enhances the EU’s ability to protect citizens and maintain essential services by providing a framework for preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from health crises. Through coordinated efforts among the Commission, EU institutions, and Member States, we aim to create a stronger and more resilient European Health Union that safeguards everyone from cross-border health threats.
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