The never ending battle against viruses
Prof. Johan Neyts on what COVID-19 taught us about medical speed, pandemic preparedness and the need to protect healthcare systems before the next crisis hits.
COVID-19 proved that medical breakthroughs can happen at astonishing speed. Vaccines were developed in record time. Scientific teams collaborated across borders. Regulators moved faster. Governments invested heavily. Healthcare systems adapted under enormous pressure.
So why does medical innovation often move so slowly in normal times?
The next pandemic is not a question we can push into the distant future. Emerging viral threats such as Ebola, hantavirus and other pathogens show that outbreaks remain part of our reality.In this session, Prof. Johan Neyts from KU Leuven’s Rega Institute takes us into the science and strategy of pandemic preparedness.
Johan will explore what made the COVID-19 response so fast, what still went wrong, and what needs to be ready before the next crisis begins. Vaccines are only one part of the story. Antivirals, diagnostics, surveillance, manufacturing capacity, hospital preparedness, global cooperation and public trust all determine whether a breakthrough reaches people in time.