Pandemic influenza preparedness framework: biennial progress report, 1 January 2020–31 December 2022

The Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (also called PIP Framework) is a public health instrument developed by the World Health Organization with the purpose to address pandemic influenza. The PIP Framework has supported countries to enhance their capacities to detect, prepare for and respond to pandemic influenza.

The Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework is an innovative public health instrument that brings together Member States, industry, other stakeholders and WHO to implement a global approach to pandemic influenza preparedness and response. The key goals include: to improve and strengthen the sharing of influenza viruses with human pandemic potential through the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), and to increase the access of developing countries to vaccines and other pandemic response supplies.

The Framework includes a benefit-sharing mechanism called the Partnership Contribution (PC). The PC is collected as an annual cash contribution from influenza vaccine, diagnostic, and pharmaceutical manufacturers that use GISRS. Funds are allocated for: (a) pandemic preparedness capacity building; (b) response activities during the time of an influenza pandemic; and (c) PIP Secretariat for the management and implementation of the Framework.

For pandemic preparedness capacity building, activities are implemented according to six outputs under one outcome in the High Level Implementation Plan (HLIP) II 2018-2023. The technical and financial investments of countries and other partners, including GISRS, play a critical role in advancing pandemic preparedness alongside PC investments. Collectively, resources are used to strengthen pandemic preparedness systems, knowledge and capacities. We thank countries and partners for their important role and contribution. The progress made and successes achieved are a result of joint collaboration on common objectives. The PIP PC funding model is described in HLIP II, Section 6.

This reporting format addresses the recommendation from the 2016 PIP Review that WHO develop progress reports that present overall success metrics and infographics to illustrate progress in PIP Framework implementation. A progress report is published four times a biennium, and covers technical and financial implementation for HLIP II, as well as the PIP Secretariat. Milestones are reported every six months and indicators are reported yearly. All data are presented cumulatively from the beginning of each biennium, in this case, 1 January 2020.

For financial implementation, progress is reported against biennial workplan allocations. Figures presented exclude WHO Programme Support Costs (PSC) unless otherwise stated. For the mid-year reports, income, expenditures and encumbrances are presented, and are based on WHO’s financial tracking system (GSM). For annual and biennial reports, income and expenditures are presented, in line with the yearly WHO Interim Certified Financial Statement (ICFS).

Response to COVID-19 overshadowed implementation of all activities covered in this report. A central, recurring theme throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, has been the invaluable global asset that GISRS represents for the global response. The targeted capacity-strengthening activities supported by PIP have also been recognized, and despite slow-downs, some notable results and impact have been achieved, as reflected in this report. Care was exercised at all times to ensure that PIP PC funds were used to implement influenza specific capacity-strengthening activities, and periodic risk assessments were done to manage and, to the extent possible, minimize the impact of COVID-19 on PIP PC implementation.

Many staff across WHO Clusters and Departments in all Major Offices support the implementation of the PIP Framework. Without their work, dedication and collaboration, there would be no progress to report on. We extend our sincere thanks to these staff for their invaluable work.