On 22 July 2021 Prof.
With a view to addressing the issue of the emerging and circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants for the purpose of development or adaptation of the EU COVID-19 vaccines, together with the related impact on the EU vaccines and therapeutics portfolio and strategy, the “Therapeutics Innovation Booster” , and any action that the European Commission may take in the matter, the Commission urgently needs to call upon the expertise of specialists. The expertise of the group shall cover epidemiology, virology, clinical practice, immunology, vaccinology, pharmacology, clinical assessment, medicinal product development, and other relevant areas of expertise. The tasks of the group shall be to establish criteria to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and variants of interest and to advise which variants should trigger adapted vaccine development for the Union and the EEA, to review the scientific evidence collected, to assist the Commission in gathering and interpreting the data needed to provide recommendations, etc.
The European expert group on SARS-CoV-2 variants will consist of two types of members: individuals appointed in their personal capacity (‘type A members’) and those representing two other bodies: the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Medicines Agency.
