Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority

The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) is a directorate-general^[1] of the European Commission created to prepare the EU for a future pandemic and to avoid the mistakes made during the EU's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[2][3][4] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen first announced plans for such a body in 2020.^[2] On 15 September 2021, the EU announced the launch of HERA^[3] and the service was established as a directorate-general of the European Commission on 16 September.^[5] HERA has been operational since early 2022.^[2][4]

Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority

Agency overview
Formed	16 September 2021 (2021-09-16)
Jurisdiction	European Union
Key document	Commission Decision 2021/929

HERA will assess potential health threats, promote research, ensure the availability of critical production and help build stockpiles. During a health crisis, the authority would activate emergency funding and help coordinate monitoring, acquisition and purchase of medical equipment or treatments.^[4]

See also

• Health Threat Unit
• Health Security Committee