Policy Priorities to Modernize Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Development

Influenza is a persistent public health challenge with significant morbidity, mortality, and economic costs. The seasonal influenza vaccination program is a time-sensitive, complex undertaking that remains one of the best interventions to mitigate disease burden.

Building upon prior work to reduce infectious disease transmission, Duke-Margolis conducted policy research and previously convened subject matter experts to explore opportunities to modernize seasonal influenza vaccine development. Advancements in genomic sequencing, predictive modeling, vaccine platforms, artificial intelligence, and real-world evidence generation—paired with coordinated policy reforms—can support improvements across the influenza vaccine development process.

On June 23, Duke-Margolis will host a public webinar where we will explore policy actions to enhance viral surveillance, data infrastructure, regulatory alignment and antigen selection to connect technical advancements towards strategies that facilitate a more efficient development of seasonal influenza vaccines. The event will provide an overview of short- and long-term policy reform priorities from a forthcoming Duke-Margolis policy brief followed by a panel discussion with stakeholders across the vaccine development landscape.  

This webinar will cover:

• Short-term policy priorities, next steps, and enabling organizations that can leverage existing infrastructure and technical advancements to strengthen viral surveillance and build a more unified data infrastructure to improve the accuracy of annual antigen selections.
• Longer-term policy priorities, next steps, and enabling organizations to further enhance short-term advancements; align research, manufacturing, and regulatory frameworks; decrease the time between antigen selection and vaccine administration; and support provider communication to accelerate vaccine development and sustain public confidence.
• Near-term opportunities to engage stakeholders – including Federal and state leaders, public health actors, and private sector partners – in continued policy dialogue ahead of the upcoming fall influenza season.