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[WHO Influenza Global Agenda]
Isabella Donatelli1, Fabrizio Pregliasco
1Laboratorio di Virologia, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma. donatell@iss.it
Annali Dell'Istituto Superiore Di Sanita
|April 22, 2004
Summary
Influenza causes significant global mortality, underscoring the need for increased vaccine access and awareness, especially for at-risk populations. A WHO Global Agenda outlines priority actions for influenza control and pandemic preparedness.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Vaccinology
Context:
- Influenza poses a substantial global health burden, causing an estimated half a million deaths annually.
- Low global vaccine usage (250 million doses in 2001) contrasts with the large at-risk population (over 380 million aged 65+).
- Limited vaccine access and awareness, particularly in developing countries, exacerbate the problem.
Purpose:
- To address the significant morbidity and mortality associated with annual influenza epidemics.
- To prepare for future influenza pandemics through enhanced global strategies.
- To provide guidance for national and international influenza control efforts.
Summary:
- The World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Agenda, developed in 2002, identified 17 priority actions for influenza control.
- Key actions include strengthening surveillance, understanding the socio-economic impact, increasing vaccine utilization, and accelerating pandemic preparedness plans.
- The WHO Global Influenza Programme aims to lead international strategy development for influenza prevention.
Impact:
- Aims to reduce deaths and illness from seasonal influenza epidemics.
- Enhances global readiness for potential influenza pandemics.
- Supports fundraising and provides impartial guidance for influenza control initiatives worldwide.