WHO is supporting countries to protect their people from seasonal, zoonotic and pandemic influenza.
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WHO Influenza Newsletter – Q2 2026
© WHO
WHO is supporting countries to protect their people from seasonal, zoonotic and pandemic influenza.
© WHO
Next-generation influenza vaccines could save millions of lives, finds WHO
Next-generation influenza vaccines could dramatically reduce illness and deaths worldwide, according to WHO. By offering broader and longer-lasting protection, these innovations have the potential to transform influenza prevention and strengthen global preparedness against both seasonal epidemics and future pandemics.
© Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Senegal / Ndongo DIA
WHO designates two new Collaborating Centres to strengthen GISRS capacity in Senegal and Hong Kong SAR, China
WHO has designated two new Collaborating Centres (CCs) in Senegal and Hong Kong SAR, China, expanding the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), to include a total of nine CCs. The centres will support laboratory quality, capacity development, and global preparedness for influenza and other respiratory viruses.
© WHO
Domestic external quality assessment programme (EQA) strengthens Ukraine’s respiratory-virus diagnostic readiness
Ukraine completed the first-ever domestic external quality assessment programme (EQA) for respiratory viruses across 24 laboratories. The results confirmed reliable influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2 testing under wartime conditions and identified targeted actions for the next quality-improvement cycle.
© College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka
Building research readiness for respiratory pathogen pandemics in South-East Asia through its WHO GISRS Unity Studies regional chapter
With catalytic support from PIP PC, countries in the WHO South‑East Asia Region are strengthening their capacity through the WHO Investigations and Studies Initiative. The initiative supports the generation of timely evidence during respiratory epidemics and pandemics, enhances collaboration, and enables informed decision‑making.
© WHO / PAHO
El Salvador strengthens its preparedness for future pandemics with a national simulation exercise
El Salvador is strengthening its readiness for future pandemics through a national simulation exercise that tested response systems and coordination. The results are helping identify gaps, improve planning, and enhance the country’s ability to respond effectively to pandemics.
PIP 15th anniversary special stories
© WHO / Blink Media / Juliana Tan
Institutionalizing respiratory pathogen preparedness in Yemen
Despite prolonged conflict and political instability, sustained support from the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) has helped Yemen strengthen surveillance, laboratory and community systems; improve national preparedness; and reconnect the country to global influenza surveillance.
© WHO
Morocco expands influenza laboratory and surveillance capacity with PIP support
Sustained support through the PIP Framework has strengthened Morocco’s influenza laboratory and surveillance system, expanding national coverage and enabling integrated respiratory surveillance thereby supporting faster, evidence-based responses to seasonal epidemics and pandemic threats.
© WHO
Lao People’s Democratic (Lao PDR) Republic strengthens influenza preparedness through integrated surveillance
Lao PDR has built on long-standing influenza surveillance systems to integrate SARS-CoV-2 testing and strengthen multisource surveillance, laboratory and emergency response capacities, building a more resilient, sustainable system to detect and respond to emerging respiratory threats.
Event
Global youth competition on influenza and COVID-19 prevention and control
WHO invites students and young professionals (18-35 years old) to participate in the first global youth video competition advocating for influenza and/or COVID-19 prevention and control. The competition begins on 3 August 2026.
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