Anvisa participates in international simulated exercise for responding to health emergencies

On November 5 and 6, Anvisa participated in a tabletop exercise organized by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

The activity was part of the international "100 Days Mission" initiative, which aims to enable the development and availability of a pandemic vaccine within 100 days after the identification of a new public health threat. The project builds on lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic and seeks to enhance global cooperation for rapid and coordinated responses to future health emergencies.

The exercise took place at Anvisa’s headquarters in Brasília (DF) and aimed to assess and strengthen the Agency’s institutional capacity for preparedness and response to public health emergencies, in alignment with international practices.

Several Anvisa departments involved with the topic participated in the activity, along with representatives from the Ministry of Health, including the Department of Immunization and Immunopreventable Diseases (DMESP) and the General Coordination of the National Immunization Program (CGPNI).

Commitment to preparedness and international cooperation

Daniel Pereira, Director of the Second Directorate, highlighted the relevance of the initiative and Anvisa’s strategic role in strengthening preparedness actions for health emergencies. "The Covid-19 pandemic was a milestone in the history of global public health, underscoring the Agency’s role at the forefront of Brazil’s response, acting with agility, technical rigor, and transparency", he said. He also emphasized that Anvisa’s participation in the 100 Days Mission is of great value. "The simulation exercises and exchange of experiences promoted by CEPI are opportunities for institutional improvement and alignment with international standards," he added.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Director-General Diogo Penha Soares highlighted the importance of the event as a milestone in strengthening Anvisa’s partnership with CEPI. He also noted that this experience reinforces the need for institutions with technical capacity and international coordination to be prepared to effectively address health crises.

Diogo Soares stated that "the response to the pandemic did not end with the end of the emergency. We are working to consolidate a permanent foundation for surveillance and preparedness, such as the creation of the Strategic Coordination for Health Surveillance Actions (Ceavs), formalized by Ordinance 781/2025, which establishes guidelines and workflows for managing public health emergencies." The regulation also created the Anvisa Health Events Monitoring Committee (CMA), aligned with WHO international standards, reinforcing the Agency’s integration with the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and international partners.

According to the Deputy Director-General, "the effectiveness of preparedness and response actions depends on coordinated efforts among institutions, and the partnership with the Ministry of Health is both strategic and indispensable." He thanked CEPI, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and Anvisa’s technical teams, particularly the General Management of Biological Products, Radiopharmaceuticals, Blood, Tissues, Cells, Organs, and Advanced Therapy Products (GGBIO), for their dedication and expertise. He concluded: "May this event serve as a space for learning and for strengthening international cooperation."

About CEPI

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is an international organization established at the 2017 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in the aftermath of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa (2014–2016). Its mission is to accelerate the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and to ensure equitable access to these immunizations during health emergencies.

CEPI works in collaboration with PAHO and regulatory authorities in several countries, including Anvisa, to strengthen regulatory systems, harmonize vaccine and diagnostic approval processes, and promote innovation and regional vaccine production.