"The issue of medical countermeasures is not only timely, but also of strategic importance for our regions and cities. Health emergency preparedness is something that is delivered locally, under real‑life constraints,” Antonello Aurigemma, ECR rapporteur and President of the Regional Council of the Lazio Region, said following the approval by the CoR Plenary session of his opinion on medical countermeasures. The approval marks an important step towards strengthening Europe’s health emergency preparedness with a strong territorial focus.

A central element of the opinion is the crucial role of local and regional authorities in preparedness, planning and last‑mile delivery, particularly as healthcare systems are decentralised in most Member States. At the same time, the text stresses the need for effective European coordination and solidarity, while fully respecting national competences.

“Coordination and solidarity at European level are essential, while fully respecting national competences, if European cooperation is to be effective and accepted.” President Aurigemma noted. The opinion also broadens the scope of preparedness beyond healthcare alone, recognising the importance of energy security, logistics, digital systems, innovation ecosystems, secure supply chains and often underestimated dimensions such as mental health, workforce resilience and inequalities in access. Mr Aurigemma highlighted the strategic relevance of the strategy for Europe’s resilience.

“A strong medical countermeasures strategy is essential for Europe’s security and resilience,” he concluded. “It must ensure preparedness across the full chain — from research and production to logistics and deployment — while remaining adaptable, decentralised and aligned with national systems.”