Roadmap for Influenza Prevention and Control – in support of implementing the WHO Global Influenza Strategy (GIS), 2019-2030
Request for Expressions of Interest to Participate in the Technical Expert Group (TEG)
Context and Purpose
World Health Organization’s Global Influenza Strategy, 2019-2030 (GIS) was published five years ago. The GIS highlighted the need, and outlined component goals and areas of work required, to advance influenza prevention and control programs. WHO and partners have called for an Implementation Plan to advance influenza prevention and control globally, realizing the objectives of the GIS.
One component of an implementation plan is a “Road Map” focused on influenza prevention and control (Goal 3 in the GIS) that complements other initiatives ongoing and planned that will focus on other goals of the GIS. The work undertaken to create, implement and monitor the Influenza Prevention and Control Roadmap will be conducted alongside and in concert with these other activities. Together, these activities will advance and accelerate global influenza prevention, control and preparedness.
The Road Map for Influenza Prevention and Control will be created through collaborative efforts of many experts committed to reducing the burden of seasonal and pandemic influenza, and implemented through the collaborative efforts of WHO, countries and partners.
A Technical Expert Group (TEG) will be convened to serve as sources of scientific and programmatic inputs in to the content and areas of focus of the Road Map and are expected to provide regular feedback on early outlines and drafts of the Road Map. This will be an informal working group, but all participating members will be required to complete and submit a Declaration of Interests (DOI) for review by WHO. WHO and The Task Force for Global Health (TFGH) will convene the informal meetings.
Participation
The TEG will consist of international experts, who are committed to influenza prevention and control, including experts in influenza vaccinology, treatment and care, prevention strategies, public health program management, monitoring, evaluation and learning, private industry, and other disciplines as required.
Expressions of Interest to Participate
Persons with relevant expertise are encouraged to apply by completing this Form. As we expect to convene the first meeting of the TEG by February 2025, we encourage applications to be submitted by January 15, 2025.
WHO and TFGH reserve the right to accept or reject any expressions of interest, to annul the open call process and reject all expressions of interest at any time without incurring any liability and without any obligation to inform the affected individuals of the grounds for WHO’s action. WHO and TFGH may also decide, at any time, not to proceed with the TEG, change the approach or to disband it; and shall not in any way be obliged to reveal, or discuss with any individual, how an expression of interest was assessed, or to provide any other information relating to the selection process for participation or to state the reasons for not choosing an individual.
The term of the TEG will be for one-year, from February 1, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and the term may be extended by one-year as needed to complete the work. The participants will be expected to represent their personal views, rather than those of their organizations. No remuneration will be provided for members for their participation, but travel to meetings may be supported, if needed. Selection of members of the TEG will take into consideration areas of expertise, geographic distribution, and gender. The TEG is expected to include 30 or fewer members.
Roles and Responsibilities
1. Once selected as a member of TEG, complete and submit a Declaration of Interests Form which will be reviewed by WHO
2. Participate in no more than three 1–2-hour meetings (remote) with the Core Working Group (CWG) to discuss the content and areas of focus of the Road Map
3. Review the draft outline of the roadmap for gaps, completeness and content within scope of the Road Map and provide written comments to the CWG.
4. Review Road Map document draft zero and provide written comments to the CWG.
5. As appropriate, share additional reports or publications relevant to Road Map content and areas of focus.
6. Participate remotely or in-person at a meeting of experts to review the draft Road Map. This meeting is expected to be convened over 2 days in Q2 or Q3 of 2025