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Ref. Ares(2022)5205389 - 18/07/2022 European Commission STELLA KYRIAKIDES Rue de la Loi, 200 MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION B-1049 Brassels-Berl 10/380 HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY stella. kyriakides@ec. europa, eu Brussels, 18 July 2022 Dear Ministers, As our citizens are enjoying a well-deserved summer period without the health restrictions of the last two years, we must continue our joint efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic by planning and looking ahead to be prepared for the up-coming autumn and winter season. The pandemic is not over and we have been experiencing a concerning surge in the number of cases in the EU in the last few weeks. This new wave is also characterised by increasing rates of severe illness, hospital and intensive care unit admissions. In view of a possible worsening of the epidemiological situation, it is crucial that we all maintain close vigilance and continue with the implementation of the actions recommended in the Communication on "COVID-19 - Sustaining EU Preparedness and Response: Looking ahead"1. The summer months must be used to take the necessary public health actions that will see us through the next phase of the pandemic in the autumn and winter: > Reinforce efforts for primary vaccination and booster doses. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have updated their recommendations on additional booster doses of CO VID-19 vaccines. Public health authorities should now proceed swiftly with administering a second booster dose for persons aged 60 and over, as well as for persons of any age with medical conditions putting them at high risk of severe disease. > Prioritise closing the remaining vaccination gaps now with the vaccines currently available, by appealing to any eligible citizens who are not yet fully vaccinated (including recommended booster doses) to come forward. For this, accurate, coherent and transparent communication from the health authorities to the citizens continues to be vital. > Prepare future vaccination campaigns based on upcoming adapted bivalent vaccines against the Omicron variants. While our authorised vaccines are still very effective against hospitalisations, severe disease and deaths from COVID-19 for all circulating variants, evidence shows that the protection is waning over time and EMA is working towards possible approvals of adapted vaccines in September. It is essential that sufficient logistical capacities are in place when the adapted vaccines are delivered to immediately 1 https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/covid-19-sustaining-eu-preparedness-and-response-looking-ahead-0 en EU Ministers of Health  start the vaccination campaigns. It would be recommended to combine COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations campaigns ahead of the winter season. > Establish year-round integrated surveillance and adequate testing capacity. We should move from emergency approaches towards sustainable and resilient integrated surveillance systems for acute respiratory illnesses for the upcoming winter and beyond - with the possibility for rapid upscaling of testing capacities as needed. ECDC has issued guidance today to this effect. Efficient monitoring of the emergence and spread of new variants, can only be achieved through sufficient sequencing and characterisation of viruses and the swift reporting of data. > Secure sufficient healthcare supplies ahead of the autumn and winter months. Healthcare systems should be prepared for managing a rise in COVID-19 cases alongside other winter respiratory viruses such as influenza. > Ensure adequate supplies and appropriate use of medical countermeasures· The EU Strategy for COVID-19 vaccines ensures Member States have equal access to safe and effective vaccines, including adapted ones, once they become available, to protect EU citizens. It is essential that we all take the necessary actions to continue to have access to stable and predictable supply of COVID-19 vaccines after the summer and in upcoming years. Ongoing discussions between manufacturers and the Vaccines Steering Board should help find appropriate solutions. With the EU Strategy on COVID-19 therapeutics, we will continue to ensure that you have access to different treatments to address different stages and severity of the disease. > Have contingency planning ready for a safe return to work and school. It is important to prepare contingency plans ahead of September, when schools reopen and citizens return to work adapted to the specific situation and conditions in their country. While the réintroduction of effective non-pharmaceutical interventions (masks, social distancing, etc.) should be considered where necessary, the closure of education systems should be avoided. Investing in effective ventilation systems in educational and employment settings should be a priority and the summer offers a chance to do the necessary adaptations. > Maintain Team Europe commitment to global solidarity. We must continue to pursue, in coordination with international partners, our leading role in the global response to COVID-19. While the focus of our support is shifting towards tackling the bottlenecks to effective administration of vaccines together with strengthening access to other CO VID-19 tools and health systems, it is essential that you continue your donation efforts especially as variant-adapted vaccine will become available. You can rest assured that we will continue to support you with the coordination of measures over the summer (in the Health Security Committee, Integrated Political Crisis Response, HERA Board and Vaccines Steering Board), and to issue the necessary guidance via the EU’s health agencies. I would like to thank you for your continued efforts and cooperation from the beginning of this public health crisis. This European spirit should carry us forward in tackling together also the next chapter in the pandemic. Yours sincerely, Electronically signed on 18/07/2022 12:33 (UTC+02) in accordance with Article 11 of Commission Decision (EU) 2021/2121 2 Hr Peep Peterson 19.07.2022 nr 10.1-13/745-1 Tervise- ja tööminister Sotsiaalministeerium Austatud minister Edastame Teile Euroopa Komisjoni voliniku Stella Kyriakidese kirja 18. juulist 2022 nr 5205389 (COVID-19). Lugupidamisega Aivo Orav Alaline esindaja Lisa: kiri 2 lehel Kersti Neeme +32 2227 4342 [email protected] Rue Guimard 11/13 1040 Brüssel Tel: +32 2 227 39 10 [email protected] https://eu.mfa.ee/et/