Regional Workshop in Brazil Enhances Capacity to Measure Influenza Burden and Vaccination Impact

Brasilia, January 26-30, 2026. The Special Program Comprehensive Immunization (CIM) and the Infectious Hazards Management Unit (IHM) of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held from 26 to 30 January 2026, in Brasilia, Brazil the III Regional Workshop on Progress in the Estimation of the Health Burden Associated with Influenza and the Impact of Influenza vaccination programs. The objective of this workshop was to present and use the revised tools and methods for estimating the impact of influenza vaccination to generate strategic information to support decision-making related to the prevention and control of seasonal influenza. Thirty-six national officials responsible for surveillance, data analysis, and immunization of respiratory viruses participated in this workshop. The attendees came from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The sessions focused on using the revised model and tools to estimate the burden of influenza-associated disease and the impact of influenza vaccination, measured as averted burden. Additionally, communication sessions and scientific translation exercises were held to share results from the participating countries. "This methodology and tool will allow quantifying the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths that are prevented every season by the influenza vaccination in our country and improving our vaccination strategy with the current resources", said Dr Delmis Pantoja, Immunization Program Manager in Cuba.

The workshop is part of the technical cooperation between PAHO and countries in the Region to support generation and use of strategic information for strengthening influenza vaccination programs in the Region.