Pandemic Fatigue: Reinvigorating the Public to Prevent COVID-19 - A Policy Framework for Prevention and Management

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Publication language
English
Pages
28pp
Date published
05 Oct 2020
Publisher
World Health Organization (WHO)
Type
Plans, policy and strategy
Keywords
Disaster preparedness, resilience and risk reduction, COVID-19, Epidemics & pandemics, Engaging with affected populations, Health, Research, policy and analysis, System-wide performance
Link
https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/publications-and-technical-guidance/2020/pande

Despite documented public support for pandemic response strategies across the WHO European Region, Member States are reporting signs of pandemic fatigue in their populations – here defined as demotivation to follow recommended protective behaviours, emerging gradually over time and affected by a number of emotions, experiences and perceptions.

Responding to a request from Member States for support in this field, this document provides a framework for the planning and implementation of national and subnational strategies to maintain and reinvigorate public support to prevent COVID-19.

Pandemic fatigue is an expected and natural response to a prolonged public health crisis – not least because the severity and scale of the COVID-19 pandemic have called for the implementation of invasive measures with unprecedented impacts on the daily lives of everyone, including those who have not been directly affected by the virus itself.

The framework is intended to support pandemic prevention and management.

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