Leaders emphasize the need for immediate action by the Community and member states to boost vaccine production capacities. They underlined the necessity to provide the right support to Europe-based producers in case unexpected problems emerge during the production process, leading to serious delays. The existing production facilities need to be maximized. New ones will need to be built, if necessary. This should enable to provide all citizens in the European Union with access to vaccines when they will be needing to revaccinate, and to adapt vaccination programs to viral mutations.
Leaders call on the European Commission and the member states to work closely with all potential vaccine producers in Europe, boosting public-private partnerships and increasing research and innovation. Emphasis is placed on the need to ensure adequate funding at the EU level.
The letter also accentuates the importance for the European Union to expand vaccine production and ensure access to vaccines for neighboring and partner countries.
Leaders expressed their expectation that these issues would be discussed further with President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and all leaders at the upcoming Council meeting.
