Recommendations for good practice in pandemic preparedness for National Influenza Centres: evaluation of how pandemic preparedness activities aided National Influenza Centres in the WHO European Region in the response to pandemic (H1N1) 2009
Abstract
To assist Member States with the revision of their pandemic plans with respect to laboratory activities after the2009 influenza H1N1 pandemic, WHO/Europe performed an evaluation of the usefulness of pandemic plans andpreparedness activities undertaken by laboratory networks and WHO in the response to the pandemic. Using asystematic approach, National Influenza Centres and national influenza reference laboratories in six Member Stateswere interviewed by telephone. Six major themes considered essential to pandemic preparedness for laboratorieswere identified: communication; coordination/collaboration; capacity; adaptation; leadership; and support. Keyissues and recommendations for good practice in pandemic preparedness for National Influenza Centres and WHOwere subsequently identified. Pandemic preparedness had generally been successful, with close collaborationbetween laboratory networks in countries, formal plan approval, laboratory accreditation process andinternational/national information sourcing emerging as important success factors. Future preparedness activitiesshould continue to emphasize these areas, as well as improve planning for: diagnostic capacity building; control onhigh diagnostic demands; clinical-laboratory feedback mechanisms; management of media requests to laboratorystaff; and real-time monitoring of antiviral resistance.Citation
World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. (2011). Recommendations for good practice in pandemic preparedness for National Influenza Centres: evaluation of how pandemic preparedness activities aided National Influenza Centres in the WHO European Region in the response to pandemic (H1N1) 2009. World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/108594