From Pandemic Response to Long-Term COVID Protection
From expert consensus to policy action
14 October 2026 · 13:30–15:30 CET · European Parliament, Brussels
COVID-19 continues to place a significant burden on vulnerable populations and health systems across Europe, even as public and political attention has waned. Coinciding with EU Respiratory Day, this event brings together MEPs, public health experts, patient advocates and civil society representatives to discuss the evidence-based recommendations of the COVID Transition Initiative and translate them into concrete policy commitments.
The programme opens with welcome remarks and a keynote on the patient perspective, followed by a panel discussion and open Q&A. It closes with a dedicated endorsement moment for the CTI’s Calls to Action, followed by a networking reception.
Programme
Programme subject to change.
Speakers
MEP Aurelijus Veryga
Prof. Paolo Bonanni
Mauricette Salque
Susanna Palkonen
Dr Gabor Belak
Marta Nunes
Marc Van Ranst
Prof. Sir Jonathan Van-Tam
Prof. Jaime Pérez Martín
Prof. Giovanni Rezza
Marco Cavaleri
This event is open to register, in person or online. Places at the European Parliament are limited and attendance is confirmed on approval — once you submit your details, the CTI secretariat will be in touch to confirm your place.
Registration closes 7 October 2026, one week before the event.
Register to attend
In person or online — places are limited.
Questions can be directed to secretariat@covid-transition.com. Online attendees will receive joining details ahead of the event.
The Calls to Action
Five concrete asks for EU and Member State decision-makers.
Build the evidence base that Europe is missing
Europe still lacks robust, comparable evidence on the burden of COVID-19, including its role in exacerbating chronic conditions and contributing to cardiovascular outcomes, making it harder to target policy and to understand why people who accept influenza vaccination decline COVID-19 vaccination. The EU and Member States should invest in integrated surveillance systems, with data reported consistently at local, national and EU level.
Make COVID-19 vaccination as routine as influenza vaccination
Co-administration with influenza is the single strongest practical lever for increasing uptake, but it only works if all COVID-19 vaccines are ready in time for winter campaigns. Integrating COVID-19 into established influenza pathways, with aligned communications and delivery infrastructure, would make it as familiar and accessible as influenza vaccination for at-risk populations.
Equip healthcare professionals to lead the conversation
A trusted clinician’s recommendation remains one of the strongest drivers of vaccine uptake, yet healthcare professionals are not always sufficiently supported to communicate the continued importance of COVID-19 vaccination. Evidence-based communication resources, training and decision-support tools should help them address hesitancy and fatigue with confidence.
Align strain selection timelines with the influenza model
Moving COVID-19 strain selection decisions to February would give all vaccine platforms time to produce for winter campaigns, including protein-based platforms currently challenged by compressed timelines, broadening genuine choice for patients and clinicians.
Ensure procurement approaches protect, rather than undermine, a resilient vaccine
As the EU reforms its procurement rules through the newly proposed Public Procurement Act, the same principles should inform COVID-19 vaccine procurement: decisions should reward quality, resilience and other factors that support a diverse vaccine ecosystem, alongside price.
The COVID Transition Initiative was initiated and is made possible by financial support from Sanofi. Its outputs remain the independent opinions and responsibility of the CTI group members.