Under the Global Influenza Strategy 2019–2030, WHO is committed to supporting Member States to strengthen their seasonal influenza prevention and control policies and programmes by providing relevant guidance, tools and training. In October 2021, global and regional colleagues met to discuss plans and priorities for support during the upcoming Northern Hemisphere season; and to reflect on lessons learned during the last Southern Hemisphere season.
At a global level:
- The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts in Immunization met in October 2021 to discuss updated influenza vaccine recommendations for target groups, co-administration with COVID-19 vaccines, repeat vaccination, and the impact of quadrivalent versus trivalent vaccines.
- WHO interviewed informants during November 2021 to understand the potential value of giving health workers seasonal influenza vaccines to support pandemic preparedness and response.
- An updated seasonal influenza vaccination toolbox will be published in December 2021 with new resources, including posters, a Q&A, short informational videos for the public; and influenza prevention and control training materials for health workers.
At a regional level, WHO colleagues are working to:
- Provide risk communications and community engagement materials for vaccination campaigns.
- Strengthen national capacities for evaluating influenza vaccine effectiveness.
- Support behavioural insights studies of influenza vaccines among key target groups.
- Conduct regional workshops with countries and partners on influenza prevention and control.
- Document best practices and lessons learned for seasonal influenza vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public Release.
More on this here.