Reports calls for action to advance pandemic influenza preparedness based on COVID-19 lessons

The National Academy of Medicine today released four reports on applying lessons learned from COVID-19 to prepare for and respond to the next influenza pandemic. The reports provide recommendations on leveraging COVID-19 vaccine technology for influenza vaccine research and development, bolstering the influenza vaccine supply chain, improving global coordination, and effectively using non-vaccine public health measures, such as face masks, physical distancing and school closures. 

“It’s critical to invest in science, strengthen health systems, and ensure trust in order to protect people from the health, social, and economic consequences of seasonal and pandemic influenza,” said NAM President Victor Dzau.

The AHA has urged Congress to include in the budget reconciliation package certain provisions that would help hospitals and health systems build emergency preparedness and response capacity.