health emergency preparedness and response authority health emergency preparedness and response authority the health emergency preparedness and response authority (hera) is a directorate-general of the european commission created to prepare the eu for a future pandemic and to avoid the mistakes made during the eu's response to the covid-19 pandemic. european commission president ursula von der leyen first announced plans for such a body in 2020. on 15 september 2021, the eu announced the launch of hera and the service was established as a directorate-general of the european commission on 16 september. hera has been operational since early 2022. health emergency preparedness and response authorityagency overviewformed16 september 2021 (2021-09-16)jurisdictioneuropean unionkey documentcommission decision 2021/929 hera will assess potential health threats, promote research, ensure the availability of critical production and help build stockpiles. during a health crisis, the authority would activate emergency funding and help coordinate monitoring, acquisition and purchase of medical equipment or treatments.