Our Approach

The Sabin-Aspen Vaccine Science & Policy Group convenes influential, out-of-the-box thinkers across scientific, medical, industry and regulatory sectors to vigorously probe a single topic each year and develop actionable recommendations. Meeting 100 years after the 1918 – 1919 influenza epidemic that killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide, the group focused its initial meeting on the urgent need for next-generation vaccines and Big Ideas for jump-starting the development of a universal influenza vaccine.

The Influenzer Initiative, hosted by the Wellcome Trust, engages leaders in influenza and vaccine research, technology, industry, funding and policy to reimagine development of a UIV. Building on their insights, Sabin’s funding partner, Flu Lab, working with the Center for Open Science and the Public Library of Science, launches a platform to expand access to null and negative research results and encourage replication of influenza research findings.

Following their initial meeting, the Group releases a report communicating the urgent need for a universal influenza vaccine (UIV) and putting forward bold recommendations.

The 10th Options for the Control of Influenza (Options X) conference features a conversation on the Sabin-Aspen Vaccine Science & Policy Group Report, co-hosted by Flu Lab. Representatives of biotech, industry, government, academia and philanthropy probe how the report’s “Big Ideas” around scientific collaboration, data sharing and transformative funding can be incentivized and realized.

The ‘Convergence Research’ paradigm combines previously unconnected knowledge and diverse methods from across the science and technology landscape, shaping novel pathways and innovative approaches to overcome longstanding and vexing societal challenges. Seeking to apply this framework to next-generation influenza vaccines, and building on recommendations of the Sabin-Aspen Vaccine Science & Policy Group, the Influenzer Initiative plans to convene a diverse and bold set of thinkers and leaders. Our ultimate goal: to stimulate the transformative intellectual and capital investment necessary to protect the world from the threat of influenza.

Since the pandemic emerged, the Influenzer Initiative has embarked on a multi-pronged examination of the global response to COVID-19 as a means to inform and inspire the pursuit of universal vaccine protection against influenza.  We assess changing practices and policies—across the science and technology landscape, vaccine development and regulatory science, public-private partnerships, and pandemic preparedness—and consider how beneficial changes might be sustained.

· Our Influenzers in Action series celebrates contributions to combatting COVID-19 by members of the influenza community.

· Transitioning from planned in-person engagements, we are conducting an ongoing documentary video series to capture expert insights on pandemic preparedness, vaccine development, and public health policy from outstanding researchers and industry leaders. We continue to analyze how the scientific and technological response to COVID-19 could inform and influence the pursuit of a universal influenza vaccine.

An influenza pandemic could hit the world even harder than COVID-19. This series with Nature Research Custom Media explores what it will take to develop influenza vaccines powerful enough to stop one. This public health moonshot requires global shifts in vaccine R&D and public health policy. But it could save millions of lives.

Since launching in September 2021, the Influenzer Initiative has supported The Influenza Vaccines R&D Roadmap Initiative (IVR) by promoting its key messages through our video series and symposium at the Eighth ESWI Influenza Conference.

The IVR is a collaborative effort involving more than 100 stakeholders in 29 countries. Launched in September 2021, the Roadmap aims to bring unity and focus to the quest for better flu vaccines by identifying key areas for future influenza R&D and plotting their advancement, milestone by milestone, toward strategic goal. It was designed as a living document that will be updated continually over the next 10 years.

The road map was developed by a steering group comprised of representatives from CIDRAP, the Wellcome Trust, the World Health Organization, the Sabin Vaccine Institute, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Taskforce For Global Health, and the Global Flu Funders Consortium.