Fri. Feb 7th, 2025

Brussels, 14 January 2025

Today, the new Advisory Committee for Public Health Emergencies is holding its first in-person meeting in Luxembourg. The Committee was set up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support and advise the Commission and Member States before, during and after a public health emergency. It is an important element of the European Health Union’s health security architecture, for a stronger response to cross-border threats to health.

The committee brings together 44 independent experts from different disciplines and sectors. In the event of a serious health crisis, the Committee will indicate whether or not a given situation should be recognised by the European Commission as a public health emergency. In addition, the Committee will also recommend possible measures to mitigate the effects of such a public health emergency. This expert group is established on the basis of the Regulation on serious cross-border threats to health. Today’s meeting will be opened by Commissioner Várhelyi, via video message, with the participation of representatives of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organisation, as well as observers from the Advisory Committee.

Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare, said: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how a public health emergency can affect all sectors of society. To respond quickly and comprehensively to these emergencies, we need to involve experts from many different sectors. This new intersectoral advisory committee on public health emergencies is unique on a global scale. I am proud that the European Commission is leading the way for cross-sectoral cooperation in such an important area.”

Source – EU Commission

 

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