WHO recommends that all countries consider implementing an influenza vaccination programme or include influenza vaccination in their national immunization programme. Globally, the number of countries conducting seasonal influenza vaccination has increased over time. WHO and partners are working together at the global, regional and national level, to support countries in strengthening their national influenza vaccination policies and programmes.
Seasonal influenza is a major global health threat that causes significant sickness and death and places considerable stress on health systems worldwide. Influenza vaccination programmes play a critical role in reducing the burden of annual influenza epidemics and enhancing pandemic preparedness, including for other respiratory pathogens such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) [1-3]. As Dr Mike Ryan, the Executive Director of WHO’s World Health Emergencies Programme, stated:
“The best preparation for the next pandemic is leveraging what we have now.”
In alignment with the World Health Assembly resolution 56.19, the Global Influenza Strategy (2019–2030) and the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), WHO supports countries in updating their vaccination policies for seasonal (epidemic) and pandemic management of influenza. Following publication of a policy brief on strengthening national influenza vaccination programmes, WHO convened a meeting in July 2024 focused on influenza vaccination policies and programmes. The meeting brought together WHO headquarters, regional and country office focal points as well as partners to share experiences, challenges and initiatives on strengthening national seasonal influenza programmes.
Over the course of the meeting, participants identified common challenges, opportunities and future needs to enhance seasonal influenza vaccination programmes. Insights from the discussions were used to outline high-level global actions and operational priorities moving forward. Key takeaways included the importance of:
- adaptable global targets for seasonal influenza vaccination programmes;
- integrated vaccination programmes that are tailored to local contexts and informed by local, regional, and/or global evidence to optimize uptake;
- global resources and tools (e.g. programme review, policy brief, disease burden and burden adverted, cost-effectiveness, and drivers of vaccine uptake) which support national programme strengthening;
- partnerships with the private sector, professional associations, civil society, and faith-based organizations at the national, regional, and global levels; and
- high level advocacy (within and between countries) and peer exchange to facilitate sharing of good practices.
Advancing seasonal influenza vaccination programmes necessitates a coordinated approach, leveraging data, enhancing partnerships and devising tailored strategies to address challenges and drive progress. The link to the full meeting report is available here.
- World Health Organization. Global influenza strategy 2019-2030. Geneva, Switzerland. Global Influenza Strategy 2019–2030
- Volkmann AM, Goldin S, McMurren B, Gapare C, Pratt BA, Frost L, Desai S. Leveraging seasonal influenza health worker vaccination programmes for COVID-19 vaccine Introduction: A global qualitative analysis. Vaccine. 2024 Mar 25.
- Goldin S, Moen A, Moss WJ, Nuzzo J. Assessing the relationship between existing childhood, adolescent and adult immunization programmes and national COVID-19 vaccination capacities in 2021. Vaccine. 2024 Jan 11.