During their informal meeting, on 5-6 July in Brussels, the EU’s health ministers could anticipate revising the European pandemic preparedness plan in light of the lessons learned, by member states, the European Commission and agencies, on combating the pandemic. These lessons were analysed during a high-level conference, held on 1 and 2 July in Brussels. More than 300 participants discussed early assessment, epidemiological surveillance, multisectoral collaboration, economic impact and medical measures, including use of antiviral medication and vaccines, which was the focus of the European Union’s actions over the past two years.

“We have to analyse - objectively and with a critical eye - the national and European and WHO instruments that have been mobilised,” said the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Policy, Laurette Onkelinx. “Some of the measures taken have shown their effectiveness. Others will have to be completely reviewed”. According to the Belgian Presidency, the main conclusions reached on 1 and 2 July are the need to minimise uncertainty, especially at the onset of a pandemic, of the severity of the virus and the affected population groups and the need for better coordination of implementation of strategies on use of antiviral medication and vaccines.

Next, it is necessary to increase collaboration between sectors and to minimise the economic impact of a health crisis. Lastly, work must be done on communication to citizens and professionals, but also to analyse possibilities for more active involvement of stakeholders and use of new media. “At a European level – we have to confess – we have to improve in terms of cohesion and coordination,” added Onkelinx. “All member states managed the pandemic, with the different means they had at their disposal. As the virus was far less virulent than expected, we have limited its impact, but without the necessary cohesion between member states. Therefore, it is important to me that the first informal meeting of the health ministers [on 5-6 July] evaluates the way the influenza pandemic was managed”.

Background

The legal basis for European deliberations on health threats is Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which stipulates that combating major plagues is an EU public health objective. Since March 2004, the European Union has had a flu pandemic preparedness plan, revised in 2005 in order to guarantee greater coherence with WHO recommendations and full recognition of the role of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). This strategy lays down the respective roles of the Commission and member states in preparing for a pandemic. It also defines the key actions to be taken in the main areas of management and coordination, surveillance, prevention, alleviation and intervention, communication, civil protection and research. Furthermore, on 15 September 2009, the Commission adopted a strategy document on the 2009 (H1N1) pandemic, which provides support to member states to effectively combat the flu. The latter led to conclusions by the Health Council, on 12 October 2009. These include the issue of vaccine availability (the resale of surplus vaccines), vaccination strategies (the setting up of priority groups), the regulatory procedure for vaccine authorisation, information and communication to the public, global cooperation and multisectoral issues, ie pandemic preparedness outside of the health sector.