The WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) has played an important role in the COVID-19 pandemic response. By leveraging the existing influenza surveillance systems to integrate SARS-CoV-2 testing in specimens collected from influenza surveillance sources, countries have been able to maintain influenza surveillance and establish a system for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 circulation in communities. This required the existing systems to undergo a variety of adaptations and adjustments, and countries have employed various strategies. This document is a collection of experiences and lessons learned from countries towards integrated influenza and SARS-CoV-2 sentinel surveillance.

A scoping literature review of learnings from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was commissioned by WHO to inform operational priorities for future respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness. The learnings are grouped according to WHO’s subsystems for health emergency preparedness, response and resilience. Key takeaway messages include: 1) Preparedness works; 2) Health is everyone’s business; 3) No one is safe until everyone is safe; and 4) Response must be agile and adaptive. The review will support pandemic planners at all levels to develop and update preparedness and response plans.

This report provides highlights from WHO’s response to health emergencies during 2022. It outlines the increasingly critical role of WHO at global, regional and country levels, and across the key elements of effective emergency response, including emergency coordination and planning, operational and logistic support, and community engagement and protection. The huge scale and complexities of health emergencies in the 21st century require a strategic shift towards not only meeting the immediate needs of vulnerable communities, but also building community and health system resilience to all hazards – a challenge that both WHO and its partners must continue to meet.