Pandemic Preparedness Through Global Partnership

Pandemic preparedness requires a coordinated global approach that integrates basic science, field epidemiology, and vaccine development. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute (HKJCGHI), a partnership between HKUMed (Hong Kong), the International Vaccine Institute (Seoul, South Korea), and the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom). The HKJCGHI is uniquely positioned to drive innovation, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration in this critical area.

This session will explore how public health virology, disease surveillance networks, and vaccine design work synergistically to enhance global health security. Experts from leading academic institutions, international research organizations, and field sites will discuss the role of early pathogen detection, real-time disease surveillance, and optimized vaccine development in preventing and mitigating future pandemic threats.

Key topics will include: 1. Public health virology as a foundation for understanding and responding to pandemic-potential pathogens; 2. The importance of leveraging existing disease surveillance sites for early warning systems and pandemic preparedness; and 3. Strategies for bridging laboratory-based vaccine research with field-level implementation to accelerate pandemic response and equitable distribution.

Through this panel discussion, distinguished experts will share insights into emerging pandemic risks and discuss how global partnerships, such as the HKJCGHI, can enhance pandemic preparedness capacities.