Prioritize Health Workers:

Frontline and community healthcare workers have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 response. By prioritizing their recruitment, training and vaccination, we can strengthen vaccination efforts and protect healthcare workers and their communities.

Establish Effective Surveillance Systems:

Effective testing and reporting mechanisms are essential to monitor the emergence of transmissible variants and outbreaks. The rapid identification and reporting of new variants allows for the rapid implementation of measures to limit transmission of the virus.

Generate Community Trust in Health Services:

Building trust and ensuring effective communication about available health services are vital to preventing future pandemics. By providing accurate information and making health services accessible, especially in rural areas, we can increase community confidence in vaccines and health systems.

Integrate COVID-19 Vaccines into Routine Immunization Programs:

To ensure widespread vaccination coverage, COVID-19 vaccines must be easily accessible at the community level. Integrating them into routine immunization programs and strengthening primary health care services can facilitate lifelong vaccination schedules and protect communities from COVID-19.

By prioritizing health workers, establishing effective surveillance systems, building community trust in health services, and integrating COVID-19 vaccines into routine immunization programs, we can build a resilient health infrastructure and mitigate the impact of future outbreaks. Reliance on credible sources of information and compliance with preventive measures will also help in the fight against the pandemic and promote public health and safety.

Source: How to improve primary healthcare to prepare for future pandemics