Ref. Ares(2023)6338680 - 19/09/2023
STELLA KYRIAKIDES Rue de la Loi, 200
MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION B-1049 Brussels – Berl 10/380
HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY
[email protected]
Brussels, 19 September 2023
Dear Ministers,
Our joint work to build a stronger European Health Union has given us the tools we need to
collectively prevent and prepare for health threats.
I am writing to you as we enter the 2023-2024 winter season in the EU and EEA countries.
Building on the experience of the pandemic and the last four winters more broadly, our
attention must now be firmly focused on preparing for the risks posed by respiratory viruses,
such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and others, as well as on
building on the good practices that have allowed us to collectively manage the pandemic and
bring it under control.
It is challenging to predict how the winter season will develop in terms of circulating viruses.
We already observe that EU/EEA countries are currently experiencing increasing circulation
of SARS-CoV-2, albeit rising from very low levels during the summer, while influenza
activity is still at inter-seasonal low levels. SARS-CoV-2 remains capable of acquiring
mutations that facilitate its continued circulation at unpredictable times throughout the year,
with the elderly and those with underlying conditions remaining at a higher risk of severe
COVID-19 disease, if infected, compared to the general population. As for influenza, various
age groups could be differently affected by a higher disease severity and impact. RSV will
also circulate in the autumn and winter months, mostly affecting newborns, very young
children, and the elderly.
I would like to take the opportunity to highlight a few points of critical importance.
First and foremost is the necessity to maintain and reinforce COVID-19 testing and
monitoring. This was a critical point of weakness in the early days of the pandemic, that with
joint efforts, we have managed to redress to a satisfactory degree. Now is not the time to
abandon data collection, sharing and reporting at all necessary levels. In light of the
epidemiological situation, COVID-19 testing and sequencing should be kept at a level that
allows for close monitoring and early detection of new or emerging variants. Without this
reporting, our radar screen will not give us an accurate epidemiological picture.
EU Ministers of Health
Second, and closely linked to the above, is the issue of surveillance. It remains essential that
all countries continue to build and strengthen sustainable surveillance systems for monitoring
trends of COVID-19 and of other respiratory viruses, such as influenza and RSV. This year,
the Commission has put nearly 100 million EUR from the EU4Health programme at your
disposal to strengthen your national surveillance systems.
Third, vaccination remains our most effective measure, both in prevention and response.
Autumn 2023 vaccination campaigns for COVID-19 should focus on protecting those aged
over 60 years and other vulnerable individuals irrespective of to reduce the risk of infection
and severe disease1. I encourage you to carefully consider factors that have previously limited
booster vaccine uptake and address them to maximise vaccination coverage.
In parallel, vaccination campaigns for influenza according to the recommended target groups
in the countries should be planned, including combined with COVID-19. It is key to facilitate
easy access to vaccination services and spread the word through well-designed
communication campaigns.
In addition, it is important to increase the awareness of clinicians so they consider the early
use of available antiviral treatments for COVID-19, RSV, and influenza to prevent
progression to severe disease.
We should also prepare for the possible need of increased ICU capacity, including providing
support for paediatric hospitals and ICUs. It may also be a good moment to revisit training
needs on infection prevention and control (IPC) practices for the healthcare staff.
Lastly, preparing and supporting the public health staff at regional and national levels,
including public health laboratories, is also paramount.
The ECDC is actively monitoring the epidemiological situation including the emergence of
new variants and providing up to date risk assessment and guidelines on surveillance,
prevention and control.
It is essential that we remain united and coherent in our response to respiratory infections and
work together in minimising the risk for human health.
From the Commission side, we stand ready to support the Member States through the Health
Security Committee and other available financial and technical instruments.
I am confident that we have all the tools in place to tackle these challenging threats and I count
on our continued strong cooperation.
Yours sincerely,
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Public health considerations for COVID-19 vaccination roll-out during 2023
Electronically signed on 19/09/2023 15:52 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121
Tiiu Noobel
From: PANDOLFI ELMI Giulia <
[email protected]>
Sent: teisipäev, 19. september 2023 16:23
To:
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Christian; BOSONI Roberta
Subject: Letter from Commissioner Kyriakides addressed to the EU Ministers of Health on
Covid-19
Attachments: Cover letter by Head of Cabinet, Giorgos Rossides.pdf; Letter to EU Ministers of
Health on COVID-19 signed by Commissioner Kyriakides.pdf
Your Excellencies,
Please find attached a letter from Ms Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety
addressed to the EU Ministers of Health.
I would be grateful if you could transmit this correspondence to the attention of the respective Minister at
your best convenience.
1
Kind regards,
Giulia Pandolfi Elmi
Giulia Pandolfi Elmi
Assistant in the Cabinet of Commissioner Kyriakides
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Cabinet of Commissioner Stella Kyriakides
Health and Food Safety
BERL 10/078 B-1049 Brussels
+32 229-51919
[email protected]
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19.09.2023 nr 10.1-13/884-1
Riina Sikkut
Terviseminister
Sotsiaalministeerium
Austatud minister
Edastame Teile Euroopa Komisjoni voliniku Stella Kyriakidese 19.09.2023 kirja nr
Ares(2023)6338680 (Covid-19).
Lugupidamisega
Marten Kokk
Esinduse asejuht Coreper I küsimustes
Lisa: voliniku kiri 2 lk
Tiiu Noobel +32 2227 4337
[email protected]
Rue Guimard 11/13 1040 Brussels Tel: +32 2 227 39 10
[email protected] https://eu.mfa.ee