In 1947, the World Health Organisations (WHOs) Interim Committee recognized the importance of Influenza and started a globally-coordinated effort for its surveillance, study and control. This led to the creation of the Global Influenza Programme (GIP) and in 1952 the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). [1, 2]
WHOs GIP helps Member States “make their health systems better prepared against seasonal, zoonotic and pandemic influenza threats to populations and individuals.”
At the May 25, 2011 64th World Health Assembly the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework for the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits (“PIP Framework”) became effective. PIP grew out of a 2007 resolution, in time for the 2009 influenza pandemic! [3]