Report on implementation of pandemic influenza preparedness framework: Eastern Mediterranean Region, 2020-2021

ABSTRACT

In May 2011 the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework was adopted by the 64th World Health Assembly to provide a foundation for countries WHO and key partners to improve the sharing of influenza viruses with pandemic potential and increase the access of developing countries to vaccines and other life-saving products during a pandemic. In WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Region support provided to the nine PIP countries (Afghanistan Egypt Iraq Jordan Lebanon Morocco Sudan Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen) has enabled these countries to detect prepare for and respond to pandemic influenza. With PIP investment and building on existing influenza surveillance systems platforms capacities and also the structural concepts countries were able to leverage the assets for the COVID-19 pandemic response. This report which includes country profiles provides information on implementation of the PIP Framework in the Region from 2020 to 2021 utilization and implementation of funding and outlines plans for 2022–2023.