Agreement Improves Global Preparedness for Influenza Pandemics

A working group coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) has reached agreement on a framework to ensure that in a pandemic, influenza virus samples will be shared with partners who need the information to take steps to protect public health. The framework will help increase and expedite access to essential vaccines, antivirals and diagnostic kits, especially for lower-income countries.

The objective of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework is to improve pandemic influenza preparedness and response, and strengthen the protection against the pandemic influenza by improving and strengthening the WHO global influenza surveillance and response system with the objective of a fair, transparent, equitable, efficient, effective system for the sharing of H5N1 and other influenza viruses with human pandemic potential and access to vaccines and sharing of other benefits.

To access a draft of the framework document, CLICK HERE.