The idea for the Country Influenza Stakeholder Networks (CISN) is to support and strengthen national public health activities. By collaborating with them, ESWI wants to maximize the effectiveness of promotional activities for the prevention and control of influenza. Members of the national networks are stimulated to use existing communication lines with field workers (duty doctors, other GP’s) and create new communication lines with existing or newly chosen target groups.

The first CISN were established between 2003 and 2005 in Sweden, Germany and Poland. From 2008 onwards, the methodology applied to and the experience gained from setting up networks in the above-mentioned countries, helped ESWI to facilitate the establishment of CISN in Finland, the Czech Republic and Portugal. The Finnish Influenza Stakeholder Network is an excellent example of how efficient stakeholder management can contribute to an increased health protection of the elderly and of patients at risk. Read the Finnish case report here.

Following the success of the Finnish network, ESWI turned to Turkey and Austria in 2011. The Turkish network, called Grip Platformu, was launched in the last weekend of September 2011 with a first network meeting, followed by a separate conference for GP’s and pharmacists in Istanbul. The official press conference resulted in a wide media coverage. Today, the network’s policy plan and action plan are being carried out with ESWI providing expert input, strategic advice and logistical support wherever needed.

To facilitate the introduction of ESWI’s network concept, ESWI has produced an 18 minutes documentary called: “ESWI’s influenza stakeholders networks: a concept to tackle flu nationwide”.