Gilles Pargneaux on new pandemics: We will be able to vaccinate more quickly in urgent situations

Planes and high-speed trains have made it easier for viruses and diseases to spread quickly but how should Europe protect itself against such health threats? On 2 July MEPs will debate a report by Gilles Pargneaux on a Commission proposal to improve the EU's response and vote on it the following day. We asked Mr Pargneaux, a French member of the S&D group, how the new approach could make a difference in life-or-death situations.

A French citizen died of the coronavirus on 29 May. Should we be worried about a new pandemic? How would the new approach proposed by you in your report have made a difference in a situation like this?

In the long term the new coronavirus could lead to a real pandemic as it mutates so easily.

When adopted, the decision would allow us to tackle any serious cross-border threat to public health and to carry out a better risk assessment. The decision would ensure a better European coordination by providing a solid legal basis to the Health Security Committee [which is responsible for coordinating health security efforts at EU level].

How do we make sure there is enough medication available when a new pandemic hits Europe?

The greatest achievement of this decision will no doubt be the creation of a legal basis for coordinating the purchases of vaccines and medication in Europe.

Thanks to this decision, access to vaccines and medication will be more fair, because they will be available at more correct prices. This is a welcome step forward, especially for smaller member states, which simply can't afford to pay the exorbitant prices charged in recent pandemics.

The EU will be able to launch the production of vaccines itself, which should in time lead to a quicker vaccination in urgent situations.

Why do you recommend including threats due to ionising radiation? Do you think there is a significant risk of a nuclear disaster such as the one in Fukushima?

Contrary to the original proposal, I believe that serious cross-border health treats due to ionising radiation should be part of the global approach recommended by the current proposal. The nuclear accident in Fukushima in March 2011 reminds us how crucial it is to be able to react quickly to such health threats.

Further information

• Gilles Pargneaux
• Draft report
• (open in a new tab) Health Security Committee