WHO Convenes Global Session To Dictate How The Coming Influenza Pandemic Will Be Run
The new pandemic control session, organized through the WHO’s Epidemics and Pandemics Information Network (EPI-WIN), will decree how governments, laboratories participating in the WHO influenza surveillance network, and pharmaceutical manufacturers operate under the framework during an influenza pandemic response.
TL;DR
- The WHO is holding an online international pandemic control session focused on its Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework.
- The PIP Framework governs the global transfer of influenza virus samples and the allocation of vaccines, antivirals, and diagnostics.
- The session will define the roles of governments, laboratories, and pharmaceutical manufacturers during a pandemic response.
- The US continues to participate in WHO surveillance networks despite previous withdrawal intentions.
- Critics view Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, a speaker at the session, as a proponent of restrictive public health policies that limit individual freedoms.
- The WHO has stated that future influenza pandemics are inevitable, and its existing infrastructure is being prepared for the next event.