Preventing the Next Pandemic: A Conversation with Peter J. Hotez

The Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare the threat infectious diseases pose to economic growth, social programs, and political stability, as well as global security. Yet prior to the emergence of Covid-19, global health experts had encouraged a greater focus on pandemic preparedness, noting the roles conflict, poverty, urbanization, climate change, and even anti-science sentiments play in undermining the progress made in addressing vaccine-preventable diseases and anticipating the emergence of new ones. The response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been characterized both by heightened nationalism and protectionism, along with unprecedented cooperation on science and vaccine research and development. As global Covid-19 immunization efforts accelerate, and equitable access to vaccines becomes central to global recovery, what opportunities are there to re-energize international diplomatic engagement on global health security and pandemic preparedness?

Please join the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security on Wednesday, May 12, from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. EDT for a conversation with Peter J. Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, moderated by Katherine E. Bliss, Senior Fellow with the CSIS Global Health Policy Center. Dr. Hotez will discuss his new book, Preventing the Next Pandemic: Vaccine Diplomacy in a Time of Anti-science, and how, as leaders begin to turn their attention to the future, renewed international partnerships rooted in scientific cooperation could help better prepare us for the next crisis.

This event is made possible through the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.