Preparing for the next pandemic: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response
Summary: In 2020 Aotearoa New Zealand, like many other countries, faced the coronavirus pandemic armed with an influenza-based pandemic plan. The country adapted rapidly to mount a highly strategic and effective elimination response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, implementation was hampered by...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | The Lancet Regional Health. Western Pacific |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606525000628 |
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| author | Nigel P. French Howard Maxwell Michael G. Baker Fiona Callaghan Kristin Dyet Jemma L. Geoghegan David T.S. Hayman Q. Sue Huang Amanda Kvalsvig Euan Russell Pippa Scott Te Pora Thompson Michael J. Plank |
| author_facet | Nigel P. French Howard Maxwell Michael G. Baker Fiona Callaghan Kristin Dyet Jemma L. Geoghegan David T.S. Hayman Q. Sue Huang Amanda Kvalsvig Euan Russell Pippa Scott Te Pora Thompson Michael J. Plank |
| author_sort | Nigel P. French |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: In 2020 Aotearoa New Zealand, like many other countries, faced the coronavirus pandemic armed with an influenza-based pandemic plan. The country adapted rapidly to mount a highly strategic and effective elimination response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, implementation was hampered by gaps in pandemic preparedness. These gaps undermined effectiveness of the response and exacerbated inequitable impacts of both Covid-19 disease and control measures. Our review examines the Covid-19 response, reflecting on strengths, limitations and implications for pandemic planning. We identify three key areas for improvement: 1) development of a systematised procedure for risk assessment of a new pandemic pathogen; 2) investment in essential capabilities during inter-pandemic periods; and 3) building equity into all stages of the response. We present a typology of potential pathogens and scenarios and describe the evidence assessment process and core capabilities required for countries to respond fluidly, equitably, and effectively to a rapidly emerging pandemic threat. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d9461f324b944dbdadcce0abfc0d2108 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-6065 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Lancet Regional Health. Western Pacific |
| spelling | doaj-art-d9461f324b944dbdadcce0abfc0d21082025-08-20T02:51:35ZengElsevierThe Lancet Regional Health. Western Pacific2666-60652025-03-015610152510.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101525Preparing for the next pandemic: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 responseNigel P. French0Howard Maxwell1Michael G. Baker2Fiona Callaghan3Kristin Dyet4Jemma L. Geoghegan5David T.S. Hayman6Q. Sue Huang7Amanda Kvalsvig8Euan Russell9Pippa Scott10Te Pora Thompson11Michael J. Plank12Tāwharau Ora, Massey University, Tennant Drive, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand; Corresponding author. Tāwharau Ora, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Tennant Drive, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New ZealandDepartment of Public Health, University of Otago Wellington, New ZealandPublic Health Agency, Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora, New ZealandInstitute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Wellington, New ZealandDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New ZealandTāwharau Ora, Massey University, Tennant Drive, Palmerston North 4442, New ZealandInstitute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Wellington, New ZealandDepartment of Public Health, University of Otago Wellington, New ZealandPublic Health Agency, Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora, New ZealandPublic Health Agency, Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora, New ZealandTe Niwha, The Infectious Diseases Research Platform, New ZealandSchool of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New ZealandSummary: In 2020 Aotearoa New Zealand, like many other countries, faced the coronavirus pandemic armed with an influenza-based pandemic plan. The country adapted rapidly to mount a highly strategic and effective elimination response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. However, implementation was hampered by gaps in pandemic preparedness. These gaps undermined effectiveness of the response and exacerbated inequitable impacts of both Covid-19 disease and control measures. Our review examines the Covid-19 response, reflecting on strengths, limitations and implications for pandemic planning. We identify three key areas for improvement: 1) development of a systematised procedure for risk assessment of a new pandemic pathogen; 2) investment in essential capabilities during inter-pandemic periods; and 3) building equity into all stages of the response. We present a typology of potential pathogens and scenarios and describe the evidence assessment process and core capabilities required for countries to respond fluidly, equitably, and effectively to a rapidly emerging pandemic threat.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606525000628Infectious diseasesPandemic planningEquityNew Zealand |
| spellingShingle | Nigel P. French Howard Maxwell Michael G. Baker Fiona Callaghan Kristin Dyet Jemma L. Geoghegan David T.S. Hayman Q. Sue Huang Amanda Kvalsvig Euan Russell Pippa Scott Te Pora Thompson Michael J. Plank Preparing for the next pandemic: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response The Lancet Regional Health. Western Pacific Infectious diseases Pandemic planning Equity New Zealand |
| title | Preparing for the next pandemic: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response |
| title_full | Preparing for the next pandemic: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response |
| title_fullStr | Preparing for the next pandemic: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preparing for the next pandemic: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response |
| title_short | Preparing for the next pandemic: insights from Aotearoa New Zealand’s Covid-19 response |
| title_sort | preparing for the next pandemic insights from aotearoa new zealand s covid 19 response |
| topic | Infectious diseases Pandemic planning Equity New Zealand |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666606525000628 |
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