On July 28, 2022 GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) reported it had signed a framework contract with the European Commission’s (EC) Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) for the reservation of future production and supply of 85 million doses of its pandemic influenza vaccine Adjupanrix [pandemic influenza vaccine (split virion, inactivated, adjuvanted)] (Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, JUL 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234617073]).

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This is one of the first contracts signed by HERA since it was established in September 2021. Its core mission is to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to health emergencies through working closely with other EC and national health agencies, industry and international partners to improve Europe’s readiness for health emergencies.

An influenza pandemic is a global epidemic caused by a new influenza strain to which there is little or no pre-existing immunity in the human population. Influenza pandemics are impossible to predict, and they may be mild or cause severe disease or death1.

Welcoming this contract, Roger Connor, President Vaccines and Global Health, GSK, said: "I’m delighted that HERA has chosen GSK as a key partner in pandemic flu preparedness. This contract follows three other agreements GSK has made, in the US, Canada and with the WHO. These agreements leverage GSK’s world class global vaccine manufacturing network to continue our long-standing partnerships on pandemic preparedness and response. We have all seen the devastating human, economic and social consequences of a pandemic and the important part that vaccines are playing in helping us return to normal life. Through this agreement for 85m doses, we can help the EU and European countries, as well as other countries and regions, be better prepared for future pandemics."

This agreement with HERA concludes a series of contracts secured by GSK this year, under which it could provide at least 200 million doses of pandemic influenza vaccine to governments around the world. In February 2022 GSK extended its pandemic influenza vaccine stockpile contract with the United States Government2. This was followed by a renewed agreement, in June, for supply of pandemic influenza vaccines to the World Health Organization (WHO), and in July a contract with the Government of Canada for both seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines.