The Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (PIP) in numbers

Influenza countermeasures secured so far by WHO for use in the next influenza pandemic: 

  • 400 million doses of vaccine (estimated, based on 10% of production)
  • 10 million treatment courses of antivirals
  • 250 000 diagnostic kits
  • 25 million syringes
  • Over US$160 million in Partnership Contributions collected from manufacturers to support capacity building and response to the next pandemic.

PIP Framework country support:

The PIP Framework has kick-started influenza capacity building by helping countries integrate influenza activities into their national health and laboratory budgets. 

Morocco:
With PIP support, Morocco has strengthened its rapid response teams (RRTS) with 21 teams trained including three national, 12 regional, and six provincial RRTs.  

Armenia:
Improved surveillance highlighted by the weekly bulletin. Armenia now has a sentinel influenza surveillance system that supports weekly data collection and reporting. Notably, these activities were initially funded by PIP and are now mainly financed by the state.

Bangladesh:
Upgraded laboratory capacities and virus sharing, with new capacities for sequencing as well as virus isolation and investments for new equipment. Over 72 medical technologists were trained. These efforts have increased the ability for laboratories in Bangladesh to diagnose influenza, and to share samples in-country and globally with GISRS through WHO CCs.

Ghana:
Big progress achieved in surveillance. Ghana used PIP Framework funds to enhance the quality of the influenza surveillance system. The surveillance protocol was updated, messaging groups were established for rapid information sharing, and meetings were held across sectors to discuss surveillance findings including zoonotic influenza.  

Tanzania:
The help that countries receive in preparing for influenza can also help them respond to other diseases, said Dr Janneth Maridadi Mghamba, the Assistant Director for Epidemiology at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Tanzania. Before 2007, her country did not have a capacity to detect influenza, as well as other diseases like measles and cholera. Funding from The PIP Framework allowed Tanzania to build laboratory capacity and provide training to detect influenza and other diseases. “They have actually used the same techniques, the same technology, the same National Influenza Center capacity to be able to identify diseases such as cholera and Rift Valley fever,” she said.  
“If you address influenza, you actually are addressing the whole of the health system,” said Dr. Mghamba.  “Addressing influenza can also address epidemic disease and an overall health system approach.”