EU signs new contract to boost vaccine preparedness against mpox, smallpox
November 13, 2025
The European Union’s new joint procurement contract with Bavarian Nordic marks a major step in strengthening Europe’s pandemic preparedness. Covering up to 8 million doses of the MVA-BN vaccine for mpox and smallpox, the four-year deal builds on lessons from COVID-19 by emphasizing shared stockpiles and coordinated response. With 20 countries participating, the contract ensures equitable access, cost efficiency, and rapid deployment during future outbreaks. Led by HERA, the initiative reflects the EU’s commitment to collective health security and reduced dependency on fragmented national strategies, reinforcing Europe’s ability to respond decisively to cross-border biological threats.
The European Union’s decision to sign a new joint procurement agreement with Bavarian Nordic for up to 8 million doses of the MVA-BN mpox and smallpox vaccine signals a strategic evolution in Europe’s approach to public health preparedness. Coordinated through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), the four-year contract aligns 20 EU member states under a unified mechanism designed to ensure predictable vaccine access, fair pricing, and rapid mobilization during outbreaks.
The agreement expands on the EU’s 2022 framework and highlights how lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic have reshaped the bloc’s emergency health infrastructure. Rather than relying solely on national procurement, member states are now pooling resources to create shared reserves, including contributions to the EU’s rescEU strategic stockpile of medical countermeasures. This approach not only enhances Europe’s capacity to respond to health threats but also strengthens negotiating leverage in an increasingly competitive global vaccine market.
EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib called mpox outbreaks “a simmering threat,” emphasizing the importance of sustained vigilance and cooperation. The deal’s structure allows each participating country to buy doses for its own needs while reinforcing Europe’s collective safety net against future epidemics.
By integrating joint procurement with long-term supply guarantees, the EU aims to prevent the supply chain bottlenecks and vaccine inequities that characterized earlier crises. The MVA-BN vaccine, which remains the only non-replicating mpox vaccine approved across Europe, continues to serve as the cornerstone of the continent’s defense against orthopoxvirus-related diseases.
This initiative represents more than a procurement deal; it is a blueprint for the EU’s new model of shared health sovereignty. Through HERA, Europe is building a unified, resilient system that prioritizes readiness, rapid deployment, and equitable access—ensuring that health security remains a collective, rather than individual, responsibility.