European Scientific Working group on Influenza

European Scientists Fighting Influenza

2008

A multidisciplinary scientifically independent partnership organization between:

• Members: European influenza experts

• Advisers: Institutions like ECDC, RKI, ERS… • Sponsors: pharmaceutical companies (vaccine/antiviral)

THE ESWI GROUPmembers

• Turku University Hospital, Finland, Dr. T. Heikkinen (paediatrician)

• Hospital de Pulido Valente, Portugal, Dr. R. Amaral-Marques (pneumologist)

• Erasmus MC, The Netherlands, Dr. A. Osterhaus (virologist) • University of Cambridge, UK, Dr. D. Smith (mathematician) • University of Zurich, Switzerland, Dr. T. Szucs

(pharmacoeconomist)• Institut Pasteur, France, Dr. S. van der Werf (virologist)• Julius Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, Dr. G.A. van Essen

(practitioner)• Imperial College, London, Dr. P. Openshaw (chest physician,

immunologist)• Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Czech Republic, Dr R.

Prymula (epidemiologist)

THE ESWI GROUPadvisers

• Robert Koch Institut, Germany, Dr. W. Haas • Institut Pasteur, France, Dr. C. Hannoun• European Respiratory Society, Dr. F. Blasi• CIID, USA/Canada, Dr. J. McElhaney• Liaison member, The Netherlands, Dr. A. Palache • ECDC, Dr. K. Ekdahl

THE ESWI GROUP“the executive board”

• Erasmus MC, The Netherlands, Dr. A. Osterhaus • University of Cambridge, UK, Dr. D. Smith • Julius Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, Dr. G. van Essen • Liaison member, The Netherlands, Dr. A. Palache

Scientific independenceScientific independence

Recognition of intrinsic conflict situation…proactive approach:

• All major companies are sponsors• Equal financial contribution by all sponsors• Legally formalized independence (Articles OI)

• Occasional projects require public-private-partnerships

• ESWI vs EU, WHO, CDC, NIBSC… formal procedures

THE ESWI GROUPindustry sponsors

• Baxter Vaccines • Crucell • Glaxo Smith Kline • Hoffman-La Roche • MedImmune • Nobilon • Novartis • Sanofi Pasteur• Sanofi Pasteur MSD • Solvay Pharmaceuticals vaccines antivirals

POLICY PLAN 2006-2010

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE:

“To reduce the impact of epidemic and pandemic influenza in the European

population by : identifying and communicating with

stakeholders

and by facilitating their interactions”

POLICY PLAN 2006-2010

OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES TARGETING:OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES TARGETING:

• Government representatives• European Union• Opinion leaders in public health• Health care workers• International organizations• Pharmaceutical industry

POLICY PLAN 2006-2010

ACTIONS 2006-2008:

• European influenza task force (EIT)• Surveillance of vaccination coverage• Country influenza stakeholders networks

(CISN)• ESWI`s communication tools• ESWI`s corporate communication• ESWI`s press strategy (press conferences)

Additional target groups and actions 2008-2009

Groups:• Young scientists• Related organizations (ERS, LF, EVM…..)• HCWs

Actions:• Interactions (MEP, EU DGs, WHO, …..)• Influenza vaccination ethics workshop “unethical not to vaccinate yourself” • Educational tool: online flu centre• Lab training courses • Prizes/awards for young scientists

ESWI COMMUNICATION TOOLS

ESWI bulletin: scientists, medicsESWI newsletter: policymakersESWI newsletter: sponsorsESWI annual reportESWI leafletProceedings Second Malta meeting (Vaccine 2007)

ESWI website: www.eswi.org

Young Scientists European Influenza Meeting

2002 1st Malta10 Young Scientists

2005 2nd Malta20 Young Scientists

2008 3rd Portugal50 Young Scientists

Young ScientistsOrthomyxovirus meeting

• 2001 1st • Texel NL

• 2007 4th • Woods Hole

• 2003 2nd • New Jersey

• 2005 3rd • Cambridge

Young Scientists: scholarships and awards

• 2005 Cambridge Ortho meeting, - 6 full scholarships and talks in Malta

• 2007 Woods Hole - 10 full scholarships and talks in Portugal

• Yearly Early Career Award

• Ad hoc (~4 per year) prizes for outstanding publication by young

scientist

Young Scientists Lab training

• 2000 Paris 15 people •2005 Rotterdam 18 people•2007 Rotterdam 18 people

TRAINING COURSE ROTTERDAM 2007

GreeceItalySloveniaBelarusAlbaniaSerbiaBelgiumRussia

ESWI organized international conferences

• IVth “OPTIONS” meeting: Crete, 2000

• First European Influenza Conference: Malta, October 2002

• Second European Influenza Conference: Malta, September 2005

• Third European Influenza Conference: Vilamoura Portugal, September 2008

ESWI 2008

THIRD EUROPEAN INFLUENZA CONFERENCE

14-17 September 2008

Portugal, Vilamoura

THIRD EUROPEAN INFLUENZA CONFERENCE

14 - 17 September. Vilamoura Portugal, 2008 ESWI

Country Influenza Stakeholder Networks (CISN) in EUROPE

• Poland 2005• Germany 2005• Sweden 2005

• Portugal 2008• Finland 2008• Czech Republic 2008

CISN:Collaboration with national networks

Collaboration with existing national influenza organizations and institutions in order to:

maximize the effectiveness of influenza prevention and control and to increase vaccine uptake.

CISN: Process-oriented approach

• Based on a consensus model • Focus on group efforts and input• Incites national stakeholders to cooperate and take

personal initiatives• Overcomes possible opposition• Approval and support of the entire network• The Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control

regularly devotes one of its national education days to influenza. The audience of such meetings includes 200 GP's.

• The Swedish Influenza Stakeholders Network is operating autonomously. Through its network representative, Dr. Wik, it is regularly reporting to ESWI on the state-of-the-art, progress made and pertinent needs.

Affiliated member

•The affiliated member coordinates the local network’s activities and acts as a liaison with ESWI.

•All Affiliated Members will be invited to the December Member Meeting to report on the evolution within their network. In addition, this meeting will serve as a discussion platform, allowing Affiliated Members to exchange information and experiences.