Commission signs joint procurement contract for vaccines to strengthen protection ahead of the 2026-2027 winter season
The European Commission has signed, on the request of 6 countries, a joint procurement framework contract with Moderna to access up to 24 million doses of the mRNA-based RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine mRESVIA®, with no minimum number of doses to be bought. This vaccine protects against diseases of the lungs, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, caused by RSV in adults. The contract will run for a period of up to four years.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms. While most people usually recover in around a week without the need for medical treatment, RSV can cause severe illness and death in more vulnerable groups such as older adults, leading to hospitalisation in Europe of over 156,000 adults each year.
By protecting citizens through greater access to and availability of RSV vaccines, this contract can help lessen the burden on healthcare services during the winter season, when public health systems are often under greater pressure due to seasonal viruses. It can also reduce antibiotic consumption by preventing RSV infections, thereby lowering the number of patients who are prescribed antibiotics unnecessarily or as a precaution.
As of July 2026, 39 countries have signed the Joint Procurement Agreement, a mechanism at EU level to jointly procure medical countermeasures on a voluntary and flexible basis. This mechanism contributes to EU-level preparedness for public health crises or pandemics.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, said: “With today’s joint procurement for a RSV vaccine, we are helping Member States to enhance their preparedness against this serious virus before the upcoming winter season. This will protect the most vulnerable and reduce the pressure that respiratory infections place on our hospitals during the winter months. Being prepared today means saving lives when the next peak season arrives.”
