Pandemic & Zoonotic Influenza Vaccines: Landscape Analysis and WHO Guidance

Overview

Led technical analyses of zoonotic and pandemic influenza vaccines, including the safety, efficacy, and regulatory status of currently available and in-development vaccines, to support WHO pandemic preparedness activities and inform global stakeholders. This work characterized the global landscape of zoonotic and pandemic influenza vaccines and informed key policy discussions, including Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and i-MCM Net, as well as the development of WHO documents and recommendations.

Role

Lead analyst and contributing author supporting WHO consultations and the development of guidance on zoonotic and pandemic influenza vaccines.

Key Contributions & Outputs

• Assessed safety, efficacy, and regulatory status of current and in-development zoonotic and pandemic influenza vaccines

• Developed analytical materials supporting global consultations on the WHO public health research agenda for influenza and the use of avian influenza vaccines

• Led drafting and technical inputs to resulting WHO documents and recommendations

• Contributed to policy discussions and review processes, including Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) consideration

Lancet Respiratory Medicine commentary/published analysis: An overview of influenza H5 vaccines

WHO Guidance: WHO guidance on the use of licensed human influenza A(H5) vaccines for the interpandemic and emergence periods

WHO Guidance and consultation report: Considerations for use of avian influenza A(‎H5)‎ vaccines during the interpandemic and emergence periods: report of a WHO virtual scientific consultation, September 2024

Impact

The analyses informed global consultations and WHO documents and recommendations on zoonotic and pandemic influenza vaccines, supporting broader efforts to strengthen pandemic influenza preparedness.