A call to action for preparedness for future respiratory pathogen pandemics
Host: Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, Health Emergencies Programme, WHO Headquarters
Dates: 24-26 April 2023
Place: World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Objectives of the PRET Global Meeting:
The PRET (Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats) global meeting will usher in the new era of pandemic preparedness, building on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Countries need to be operationally ready to respond to infectious disease threats and this requires specific capacities and systems.
- Global approaches to pandemic preparedness must be tailored to address regional and country-level specificities.
- Global events such as pandemics require global coordination, inter-country collaboration, and solidarity.
- A multisectoral approach is needed.
PRET is an approach that applies a “mode of transmission lens” to preparedness for future pandemics. PRET will align the intersectoral stakeholders including leaders, implementing partners and Member States, around a common approach that leverages cross-cutting (IHR 2005) core capacities for groups of pathogens with similar preparedness and response requirements, while also accounting for their specificities. The approach will strengthen national planning processes and complement existing tools and mechanisms with infectious disease specificities.
PRET will initially focus on respiratory pathogens as these pathogens are typically easily transmissible and pose a significant public health threat. See draft guidance below.
Meeting agenda and list of participants will be shared soon.
The Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative applies an innovative approach to pandemic preparedness. It recognizes that the same systems, capacities, knowledge, and tools can be leveraged
for groups of pathogens based on their mode of transmission (respiratory, vector-borne etc.). Operationally, PRET is delivered through (1) technical guidance, resources and exercises, (2) platforms for coordination and collaboration and (3) communities of
practice.
The first module of PRET focuses on respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness. This module was developed by WHO in consultation with countries and stakeholders and incorporates learning from recent pandemics. To set the scene for the launch of PRET in April
2023, WHO is hosting two webinars that highlight: 1) the value of using a mode of transmission approach to support pandemic preparedness and 2) how this approach complements other capacity building efforts. We welcome participation from national, regional,
and global focal points from all sectors working on pandemic preparedness and response.
Webinars
Webinar 2 - 12:30-13:30 CEST, 18 April 2023
A new era in pandemic preparedness and the foundational cross-cutting capacities required.
Presentation: (download PDF)
Video recordings:
Webinar 1 - 13:00-14:00 CET, 23 March 2023
The journey from pandemic response to the new operating context: why mode of transmission preparedness planning is needed.
Presentations: HEPR briefing (download PDF), PRET briefing (download PDF)
Video recordings:
Contact: WHO Secretariat RPRP@who.int
Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Module 1: Planning for respiratory pathogen pandemics Version 1.0 (draft)
Overview
Through technical consultations with countries and partners, WHO has led the development of Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats Module 1: Planning for respiratory pathogen pandemics. Version 1.0. The Module, currently available as an advanced draft, builds on previous pandemic lessons and guidance, and has the following new elements:
- It presents an integrated and efficient respiratory pathogen pandemic planning approach covering both novel pathogens and those known to have pandemic potential;
- It enables coherence in addressing pathogen-agnostic and pathogen-specific elements for better preparedness;
- It gives an organizing framework including operational stages and triggers for escalation and de-escalation between pandemic preparedness and response periods;
- It contextualizes 12 IHR (2005) core capacities within the five components of health emergency preparedness, response and resilience (HEPR), from the respiratory threats perspective; and
- It describes the critical sectors for respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness to trigger multisectoral collaboration.
WHO will finalize and publish this Module after a global technical meeting that will be held on 24-26 April 2023.
