WHO Meeting of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System: From 70th Anniversary to 100 Years
Background
This year, 2022, marks the 70th anniversary of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), a network of 153 institutions in 127 countries, including WHO-recognized National Influenza Centres in 124 Member States, seven WHO Collaborating Centres for Influenza, four WHO Essential Regulatory Laboratories and 13 WHO H5 Reference Laboratories.
Since 1952, GISRS has grown and become not only a well-functioning system of surveillance and response of influenza, but also a crucial global alert system, warning the world of respiratory viruses with pandemic potential. At the start of COVID-19 pandemic, GISRS was swiftly leveraged to address some critical response needs, and since then has been developing integrated surveillance of influenza and COVID-19, a model for sustainable surveillance post-pandemic. Past and recent experiences highlight the critical role and functions that GISRS fulfils for global health security in particular for influenza pandemics and epidemics.
On its 70th anniversary, it is critical to review the path of GISRS and importantly to look ahead towards its 100 years – a stronger GISRS serving public health.
Objectives
- Review GISRS legacy from the 70-year journey;
- Reflect experience and lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications to GISRS;
- Review the status of GISRS development including the implementation of the Global Influenza Strategy on influenza; and
- Define the directions and process of expanding GISRS, including the next 5‑year plan.
Participants (by invitation only) are representatives from:
- National Influenza Centres of GISRS
- WHO Collaborating Centres for Influenza
- WHO H5 Reference Laboratories
- WHO Essential Regulatory Laboratories
- National epidemiology institutions
- National health authority
- Research academia, veterinary sector and industry in partnership with GISRS
- Other partners including donor agencies
Agenda outline
- Overview of the 70-year journey – why GISRS is a public health model with trust, confidence and support from countries;
- GISRS taking stock on the COVID-19 pandemic – experience and lessons learned by GISRS;
- GISRS self-reflection on current global capacity, challenges and opportunities
- Moving towards 100 years of GISRS, expanding GISRS and corresponding 5-year plan
For more information or requests for participation in the meeting, please email [email protected] attn: Dr Cozza