The risk of future pandemics is increasing due to factors like globalization, urbanization, climate change, greater human-animal contact, and shortages of healthcare workers in vulnerable areas. A standardized global response is essential, focusing on overcoming challenges such as high costs, availability, and access. One example is the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) which is collaborating with Member States on these issues. Efforts include strengthening disease-specific systems for vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and public health measures. They also include encouraging society to get involved in preventive measures such as vaccination campaigns, hygiene practices, and social distancing.

Helena H Askling. Photo: Andreas Andersson

Dr Helena H. Askling, Senior Consultant and Associate Professor in Infectious Diseases, and Expert Coordinator in Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Preparedness at the Centre for Health Crises at Karolinska Institutet (KI), also underlines the importance of an effective healthcare sector in general.

“To prevent and manage infectious disease outbreaks, a well-funded healthcare sector with adequate staffing and properly equipped professionals is essential. It serves as the bedrock for all other response measures,” she says.

Addressing vaccine hesitancy

Vaccines are considered the ultimate preparedness tool because they prevent diseases before they occur, essentially eliminating the need for crisis management. However, the effectiveness of vaccines depends on a range of factors, including development, distribution, and public trust. While vaccines are an integral part of preparedness and crisis management, logistical challenges, such as ensuring availability and access, remain key to their success. 

The WHO lists vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to health.

“The WHO lists vaccine hesitancy as one of the top ten threats to health, and we need to combat it by building trust, educating the public, and ensuring access to accurate and relevant information,” says Askling. 

mRNA vaccines

Building on Katalin Karikó and Drew Weismann’s groundbreaking work behind the mRNA vaccines against the coronavirus, researchers are now developing modified mRNA therapies within a number of different areas, including infectious disease. 

CEPI’s investment will explore whether the technology can be used to develop vaccines against CEPI priority pathogens, including the viruses causing deadly diseases like Ebola, Lassa fever, MERS, and Nipah. 

The University of Sheffield, backed by a EUR 4 million grant from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), is developing a technology to scale up mRNA vaccine production locally and affordably. The process aims to overcome challenges like high costs and cold storage by enabling continuous manufacturing and accelerating vaccine development within 100 days. This technology is designed for low-resource settings and uses real-time digital-twin monitoring, a technology that creates a virtual replica of a physical system or process. CEPI’s investment will explore whether the technology can be used to develop vaccines against CEPI priority pathogens, including the viruses causing deadly diseases like Ebola, Lassa fever, MERS, and Nipah. 

Nordic initiatives 

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is investing EUR 240 million to develop vaccines for respiratory diseases like tuberculosis (TB), influenza, and Group A Streptococcus (GAS), focusing on creating immunity directly in the airways to block transmission and prevent infection.

This initiative, in partnership with the University of Copenhagen and Statens Serum Institut, aims to develop more effective vaccines with long-term protection. The project will also explore different vaccine delivery methods, including nasal sprays and injections. National and international collaborations will help ensure broad access to these vaccines, advancing global health preparedness. 

NordForsk, under the Nordic Council of Ministers, has funded research networks focused on preparedness and resilience. One is the Nordic Pandemic Resilience and Preparedness Network (NordPrep), which unites public health agencies and stakeholders to improve pandemic response evidence.

Another Nordic initiative is the Nordic Health Crises University Network, linking five Nordic universities with policymakers to enhance crisis management. The Centre for Health Crises, where Helena Askling serves as an expert, coordinates this initiative. Activities planned as part of the network’s project plan for 2025-2027 include: writing retreats, research visits, work-shops, hubrid seminars, and experience sharing in research.

“Universities are home to useful skills, competences, and resources that can benefit society in a health crisis and thus have a role to play when it comes to strengthening societies’ preparedness for them, including future pandemics and outbreaks of infectious diseases. We want to explore and define that role further, along with our Nordic colleagues,” she says.