EU jointly procures Spanish COVID-19 vaccines for winter
Europe buys four million doses of protein-based COVID-19 developed and made in Europe
The European Commission's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has signed a joint procurement contract with Spanish pharmaceutical company HIPRA to secure four million doses of its protein-based COVID-19 vaccine Bimervax®, adapted to the LP.8.1 variant, ahead of the 2025–2026 winter season.
The agreement, requested by 14 participating countries over the next two years are expected to be ready in time for the current vaccination campaign. On Friday, the European Centre for Prevention and Disease Control (ECDC) reported that the LP.8.1 variant was “de-escalated” and is no longer a variant under monitoring. However, the vaccine is also effective against sublineages NB.1.8.1 and XFG, which account for 12% and 57% of identified cases, based on reporting from five countries.
In Belgium, for example, the XFG variant appears to be the most prevalent variant at the moment.
Enhancing preparedness
Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib highlighted the importance of the deal:
“This vaccine from HIPRA follows an end-to-end approach, from R&D to production, located entirely in Europe, strengthening our strategic autonomy and diversifying our portfolio of vaccines. We are committed to reinforcing our health security for a safer, healthier and better protected Europe.”.”
She noted that HIPRA’s end-to-end production within Europe strengthens strategic autonomy while diversifying the EU’s vaccine portfolio.
Diversifying vaccine options
While mRNA vaccines remain widely available, the HIPRA contract introduces a protein-based alternative. This type of vaccine uses fragments of the virus’s protein to trigger the body’s immune defenses. The vaccine will be supplied in single-dose vials, stored at standard refrigeration temperatures (2–8 °C), with a 12-month shelf life.
Strengthening European health security
All stages of HIPRA’s vaccine - research, development, production, and fill-finish - take place in Europe, reducing reliance on external suppliers and shortening supply chains.