in-cyprus 18 February 2021
In an important distinction of Cyprus, which assumes the role of coordinator in specific sub-projects of the Pan-European Preparedness Programme as a Network of Clinical Trials "VACCELERATE", the Ministry of Health has advised.
As stated in a related communication, Cyprus, through the representative of Dr. Dorothea Pana, Lecturer in Paediatrics of the European University of Cyprus and Advisor to the Minister of Health, undertakes a coordinating country for the sub-project, concerning the Volunteer Registry and together with Greece coordinator for The Paediatric Centres in Europe.
The "VACCELERATE" programme is part of the actions of the new European PREPAREDNESS PLAN COVID-19, called "HERA Incubator". According to an official communication issued today by the European Commission, the project aims to support new innovative actions to prepare Europe in a timely manner against the COVID-19 pandemic, and is a collaborative initiative by various bodies, research scientific groups, biotechnology companies, and public authorities in the EU and worldwide.
The "VACCELERATE" programme involves 16 EU Member States and five associated countries, including Switzerland and Israel.
The objective of the programme is to accelerate and achieve clinical trials II/III in vaccines against COVID-19, in order to fill in the gaps in knowledge about the current pandemic, as well as the harmonised preparation of Member States for future pandemics.
The basic principles of "VACCELERATE" are speed, inclusion and transparency, with priorities:
1. the establishment of a strong, harmonised pan-European network for phase II/III clinical vaccine studies against COVID-19 and the creation of a high-quality relevant infrastructure of clinical centres (including a vaccine platform);
2. rapid access, mapping and optimisation of the practices and infrastructures of vaccination centres in the Member States.
The added value of the initiative is to expand connectivity and cooperation between many different stakeholders in Europe (local public health authorities, academia, existing EU networks, ECDC, WHO) to dynamically identify urgent needs and provide answers to public health issues of the pandemic .
Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said today: "Research and innovation remain vital to combating the ongoing challenges of this pandemic. HERA Incubator and the strengthening of European infrastructure and networks, supported by additional funding from Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, will help us deal with any virus mutations in Europe's future preparation."
Today the presentation and signing of contracts of the Pan-European Programme "VACCELERATE", with the participation of two scientists from Europe, and, on behalf of Cyprus, Mrs. Life Dorothea Pana.
Source: eyenews
