The South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN), participated at a meeting organized by SECID, acting as SEEHN RHDC on CDC and key partners. National and regional health experts convened together to discuss how to reinforce pandemic preparedness and vaccine deployment capabilities across South Eastern Europe.
The meeting, titled “Establish Regional & Country Capacities for Vaccine Deployment & Pandemic Preparedness”, brought together representatives from SEEHN Member States—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo*. Countries shared national experiences, identified common challenges, and designed pathways for joint regional action.
Opening remarks by Dr. Silvia Bino of SECID underscored the urgent need for proactive planning, drawing on lessons from COVID-19 and H1N1 pandemics. Ms. Amanda Bolster of TFGH highlighted the importance of early and strategic investments in vaccine deployment infrastructure to prevent catastrophic health and economic losses in future crises.
Country representatives presented national gaps and lessons learned, followed by dynamic group discussions that identified regional challenges solvable through cooperation. Participants explored regulatory challenges, supply chain bottlenecks, and the need for harmonized procurement processes.
Ms. Ulpiana Lama of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) emphasized the role of cross-sector collaboration in strengthening health security, while Ms. Vesna I. Arsova of the SEEHN Secretariat presented the SEEHN Regional Alliance as a vital platform for mobilizing political commitment and technical capacity in emergency preparedness.
The meeting concluded with a high-level panel discussion featuring SEEHN, SECID, RCC, and country stakeholders, addressing how regional initiatives can incorporate vaccine access, procurement, and deployment strategies.
As SEEHN transitions to a new presidency under the State of Israel, priorities for the 2025–2026 period include:
• Strengthening emergency preparedness and response capacities,
• Bridging the digital divide through regional action on digital health equity,
• Advancing nursing and midwifery leadership for resilient health systems.
This Vienna meeting reaffirmed SEEHN’s commitment to reducing health inequities, improving governance for health, and acting collectively to ensure timely, equitable vaccine access in future pandemics. Through sustained political will and coordinated regional efforts, SEEHN continues to build a safer, healthier future for all its Member States.
