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International audience ; Influenza is an acute contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, which are unique in their vast genetic variability. By the number of patients affected and the excess of mortality attributable to it, it represents a public health issue. The pandemic risk associated with zoonotic influenza is also a major concern. An active monitoring policy is in place at national and international levels. ; La grippe est une infection respiratoire aiguë contagieuse due aux virus influenza, dont la particularité réside dans sa grande variabilité génétique. Par le nombre de patients atteints et l'excès de mortalité qui lui est attribuable, elle représente un enjeu de santé publique. Le risque pandémique associé à la grippe zoonotique constitue également une préoccupation majeure. Une politique de surveillance active est en place au niveau national et international.

International audience ; Influenza is an acute contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, which are unique in their vast genetic variability. By the number of patients affected and the excess of mortality attributable to it, it represents a public health issue. The pandemic risk associated with zoonotic influenza is also a major concern. An active monitoring policy is in place at national and international levels. ; La grippe est une infection respiratoire aiguë contagieuse due aux virus influenza, dont la particularité réside dans sa grande variabilité génétique. Par le nombre de patients atteints et l'excès de mortalité qui lui est attribuable, elle représente un enjeu de santé publique. Le risque pandémique associé à la grippe zoonotique constitue également une préoccupation majeure. Une politique de surveillance active est en place au niveau national et international.

As the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, primary care influenza sentinel surveillance networks within the Influenza - Monitoring Vaccine Effectiveness in Europe (I-MOVE) consortium rapidly adapted to COVID-19 surveillance. This study maps system adaptations and lessons learned about aligning influenza and COVID-19 surveillance following ECDC / WHO/Europe recommendations and preparing for other diseases possibly emerging in the future. Using a qualitative approach, we describe the adaptations of seven sentinel sites in five European Union countries and the United Kingdom during the first pandemic phase (March–September 2020). Adaptations to sentinel systems were substantial (2/7 sites), moderate (2/7) or minor (3/7 sites). Most adaptations encompassed patient referral and sample collection pathways, laboratory testing and data collection. Strengths included established networks of primary care providers, highly qualified testing laboratories and stakeholder commitments. One challenge was the decreasing number of samples due to altered patient pathways. Lessons learned included flexibility establishing new routines and new laboratory testing. To enable simultaneous sentinel surveillance of influenza and COVID-19, experiences of the sentinel sites and testing infrastructure should be considered. The contradicting aims of rapid case finding and contact tracing, which are needed for control during a pandemic and regular surveillance, should be carefully balanced.