From 26 to 30 January 2026, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held the III Regional Workshop on Progress in Estimating the Health Burden of Influenza and the Impact of Influenza Vaccination Programs in Brasilia, Brazil. Organized by PAHO’s Special Program on Comprehensive Immunization (CIM) and the Infectious Hazards Management Unit (IHM) of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE), the workshop aimed to present and apply revised tools and methodologies for evaluating influenza vaccination impact to support evidence-based decision-making for seasonal influenza prevention and control.
Thirty-six national officials responsible for surveillance, data analysis, and immunization from twelve countries—including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay—participated in the workshop. Sessions focused on using the updated models and tools to estimate influenza-associated disease burden and the benefits of vaccination, expressed as averted cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Communication and scientific translation exercises were also conducted to share insights and results among participating countries.
Dr. Delmis Pantoja, Immunization Program Manager in Cuba, highlighted that the methodology enables countries to quantify the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths prevented each season by influenza vaccination, allowing for more effective use of existing resources and improved vaccination strategies.
The workshop is part of PAHO’s ongoing technical cooperation with countries in the region, aimed at generating and applying strategic information to strengthen influenza vaccination programs and improve public health outcomes across the Americas.
