Evaluating WHO’s role in supporting early COVID-19 sero-epidemiologic studies: the Unity Initiative

MMGH is evaluating WHO Health Emergency Program’s role in supporting countries to conduct COVID-19 sero-epidemiologic investigations, the “Unity initiative”. This initiative developed scientifically vetted and standardised protocols to facilitate the conduct of early serologic studies in any resources setting. The purpose of these studies is to inform country actions towards protecting their vulnerable populations and citisens at large. MMGH is gathering and synthesizing information on how countries used UNITY resources (study protocols, technical assistance, financial support) and how WHO and partners managed and facilitated support. The aim is to document what worked well and what can be optimised in terms of readiness to support high-quality investigations in future large-scale outbreaks.