The Federal Ministry of Health established the Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics at the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut on 1 October 2021 to ensure optimal preparedness for future pandemics.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that preparedness for future health emergencies is a core element of a resilient healthcare system. The Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics – ZEPAI for short – is taking preparatory measures to ensure that vaccines and therapeutics for the vaccination against and treatment of pandemic-causing infectious diseases are produced and distributed to German residents as quickly as possible in the event of a pandemic. ZEPAI plans for future pandemic needs and is an important part of the management of future pandemics through public health measures. One of the measures taken by ZEPAI is directing the production and distribution of pandemic vaccines in Germany. Since the establishment of ZEPAI, the development of pandemic preparedness and the digitalisation of vaccine distribution processes have been in the foreground. ZEPAI is also responsible for the storage and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Germany.
In May 2022, the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by ZEPAI, signed pandemic preparedness contracts with five companies based in Germany. The contracts allow the Federal Republic of Germany access to the vaccine production capacities of the contracted companies in case of acute need. The Federal Republic thus ensures rapid vaccine supply for the German population in the event of a pandemic and makes provisions for possible supply shortages. ZEPAI is responsible for the management of the pandemic preparedness contracts. Its responsibilities in this context include ensuring that the contract requirements are being met by the companies.
Since September 2022, a digital system has been implemented at ZEPAI to make the distribution of vaccines in Germany efficient and sustainable using data collection and monitoring structures. The main focus is on the development of a logistics module and a dashboard. The system allows for the targeted control of the supply chain distribution processes – from manufacturer to wholesaler – because data on the vaccine distribution status is displayed at a glance.
ZEPAI's expertise and its technical and digital infrastructure will help make pandemic vaccines and therapeutics available as quickly as possible in the future.
Prof Dr Isabelle Bekeredjian-Ding (Acting Director of the ZEPAI)
The ZEPAI management team (from left to right): Dr Alexandros Liakos, Head of Distribution, Peter Hergert, Head of Legal, Professor Dr Isabelle Bekeredjian-Ding, Acting Director of ZEPAI, and Dr Joachim Bug, Head of Production and Deputy Director of ZEPAI.
Source: Paul-Ehrlich-Institut