Lessons Learned from South Korea's COVID-19 Response

Despite the official end of the COVID-19 public emergency in the U.S., the virus remains a significant threat, particularly for the 400 million people globally living with Long COVID. In South Korea, Unitaid's Executive Director praised the country's effective pandemic response, highlighting its discipline and collective intelligence as models for future health crises. The ongoing lessons from South Korea's handling of COVID-19 are seen as applicable beyond pandemics, especially in combating diseases like HIV and tuberculosis. Meanwhile, Australia’s federal review of its pandemic response revealed a need for better preparedness, emphasizing the importance of structured systems and community trust in vaccines. The report outlines 19 immediate actions and further recommendations to enhance resilience against future pandemics. Overall, these developments underscore the ongoing relevance of COVID-19 in public health discussions and the necessity of learning from past experiences for future preparedness.