European Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Planning: A Review of National Plans, July 2016

Abstract

Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) commenced in April 2009. Robust planning and preparedness are needed to minimize the impact of a pandemic. This study aims to review if key elements of pandemic preparedness are included in national plans of European countries. Key elements were identified before and during the evaluations of the 2009 pandemic and are defined in this study by 42 items. These items are used to score a total of 28 publicly available national pandemic influenza plans. We found that plans published before the 2009 influenza pandemic score lower than plans published after the pandemic. Plans from countries with a small population size score significantly lower compared to national plans from countries with a big population (P < .05). We stress that the review of written plans does not reflect the actual preparedness level, as the level of preparedness entails much more than the existence of a plan. However, we do identify areas of improvement for the written plans, such as including aspects on the recovery and transition phase and several opportunities to improve coordination and communication, including a description of the handover of leadership from health to wider sector management and communication activities during the pre-pandemic phase.

Trends, Coverage and Influencing Determinants of Influenza Vaccination in the Elderly: A Population-Based National Survey in Spain (2006–2017)

“…This doubt may have contributed to the declining trend in influenza vaccination coverage in most European countries over the last few years [40,41]. Other factors that may be considered in decreasing coverage are conflicting messages about pandemic risk [42] and issues of complacency (lower perceived severity of disease, lower perceived risk of disease) [43,44].…”

Contact-tracing apps and alienation in the age of COVID-19

“…Europe, underexposed to the H1N1, Ebola, and SARS health crises, had little or no recent citizen awareness of pandemics, or government experience and knowledge of fighting pandemics. More than a decade ago Mounier-Jack and Coker (2006) argued there was lack readiness for a pan-European collaboration for crisis management of ordinary influenza pandemics, and these deficits still remain (Droogers et al, 2019). In France, e-government initiatives launched during the COVID crisis, focused on online communication, an online form for administrative control during the lockdown, and the Stop-COVID contact-tracing app.…”

“…In fact, it has been argued that when borders reopen pandemic control will require interoperability among contact tracing apps and global collaborations. Indeed, experience of past health crisis (H1N1, SARS, Ebola, etc) lead Asian and African governments to collaborate on aligning national and regional crisis response plans to ensure a greater resilience (Droogers et al, 2019). However, the French app currently lacks any form of interoperability with neighbouring countries as of July 2020.…”

Viruses of Respiratory Tract: an Observational Retrospective Study on Hospitalized Patients in Rome, Italy

“…In conclusion, based on the above findings, the adequate epidemiological surveillance of respiratory viruses infections is highly recommended and mandatory in hospital settings, to improve the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of hospitalized patients. In addition, flu vaccination of all people at risk and care staff must be pursued with a greater determination, in light of recent epidemiological evidence [36][37][38][39]. We feel that we must prepare to face the consequences of new possible epidemics from other respiratory viruses and we must learn to know them better and to discriminate between the different virus types and their clinical consequences [40].…”