Auditorium

Chair: Stephen Griffin (University of Leeds, UK)

Introduction	09:00—09:05	Stephen Griffin (University of Leeds, UK)
Remote presentation: Global outbreak and response to SARS-CoV-2	09:05—09:15	Gavin Yamey (Duke University, USA)
Surveillance strategies and SARS-CoV-2 evolution	09:15—09:20	Emma Thomson (University of Glasgow, UK)
Potential for future pandemics	09:25—09:35	Wendy Barclay (Imperial College London, UK)
Q&A session	09:35—09:50	Gavin Yamey (Duke University, USA); Emma Thomson (University of Glasgow, UK); Wendy Barclay (Imperial College London, UK)

SARS-CoV-2 crossed into humans late in 2019, leading to a novel coronavirus pandemic with profound worldwide impact. Millions of lives have been lost, alongside immeasurable morbidity and long term health syndromes, widespread economic disruption, and all with disproportionate impact upon those most clinically and socioeconomically vulnerable. The global scientific response to the pandemic has been unprecedented, achieving the expeditious rollout of novel, highly effective vaccines, coordinated worldwide genetic surveillance, and the recent availability of both antiviral and immunomodulatory treatments for preventing and mollifying severe COVID, respectively. Nevertheless, we find ourselves in 2022 with global prevalence remaining high and an inequitable burden of severe disease around the planet. Countries have taken disparate approaches to dealing with COVID, ranging from extreme to barely any restrictions, and political issues span regional and global challenges, including the critical matter of vaccine inequity. This hot topic session assembles a panel of experts to explore key questions concerning the global response to the pandemic, the use of measures prior to and since the availability of vaccines, ongoing genetic surveillance and, critically how our recent experience might guide newly established infrastructure to be better prepared for future outbreaks. Short presentations will be followed by a brief directed discussion, concluded with an open Q&A session with the audience.