Building Research and Community Preparedness for Future Outbreaks in Europe: Insights from VERDIQual

Since its emergence in 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has continued to evolve, with new variants of concern impacting transmissibility, severity, and immunity. Vulnerable groups—including children, pregnant women, and people living with HIV—have been disproportionately affected. At the same time, the trajectory of mpox outbreaks in non-endemic countries remains uncertain, with evolving epidemiology shaped by vaccination programmes, national responses, and viral evolution.

To address these challenges, the VERDI initiative conducts observational cohort studies to better understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants and mpox with specific populations. In 2022, VERDI received EU funding to launch Work Package 7 (MPX and Preparedness), which focuses on mpox research. and strengthening international research preparedness across Europe and beyond. VERDIQual (led by University College London) specifically focused on conducting qualitative research (including community focus group discussions, and analysis of news and social media) in the UK, Italy, Nigeria and Thailand.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of this approach. To this end, VERDIQual commissioned the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) and NAZ (a London-based sexual health charity) to establish and co-lead a VERDIQual Mpox Community Advisory Group, ensuring that lived experiences and community perspectives inform research and preparedness planning.

The VERDI Mpox Community Advisory Group is made up of 8 members, including two joint chairs, who belong to communities that are affected by mpox. These members are anticipated to offer diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, ensuring comprehensive representation within the group.

Join us on 22 October (13:00–14:00 CET) to learn more about the VERDIQual research findings in Europe and to discuss with community members and researchers practical steps for strengthening outbreak preparedness and response at both local and European levels.

Find out more and register here: https://www.eatg.org/events/building-research-and-community-preparedness-for-future-outbreaks-in-europe-insights-from-verdiqual-verdi-mpox-dissemination-emeeting/