The European Union is allocating 225 million euros to speed up the development of new generation flu vaccines that will protect against a wider range of virus strains[1]. Beneficiaries of the eight-year contracts include Sanofi and Bavarian Nordics, which will develop these new vaccines[1]. The goal of the investment is to bring to market innovative products that will offer better protection against influenza compared to current vaccines[1]. The initiative is part of the European Union's strategy to strengthen its preparedness for infectious diseases and reduce its dependence on other countries for health technology. Funding will be drawn from the Union budget and will be distributed over an eight-year period of cooperation with selected vaccine manufacturers.