re3data.org and DataCite, the world’s leading provider of digital object identifiers (DOI) for research data, affirmed the designation of access to GISAID's database and data as Open Access. A persistent link for this designation has been assigned to GISAID for citation purposes.

GISAID's Comments on GloPID-R Principles for Data Sharing in Public Health Emergencies

GISAID responded to an invitation posted on the homepage of the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R) to comment on a document entitled ‘Data Sharing Principles’ indicating its gratification that the seven key principles of GloPID-R are nearly identical with the principles underlying the sharing mechanism of the GISAID Initiative, introduced in 2008, and being indispensable the influenza community since.

Germany’s Statement on the Review of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework

We welcome the recommendation to further align capacity building activities under the PIP Framework to IHR implementation activities. Germany will maintain its commitment to global influenza preparedness and to the PIP Framework. One important pillar of this commitment is our partnership with GISAID. We will continue to host the database EpiFlu™ as an important tool for sharing of genetic sequences data in the spirit of the PIP Framework, ensuring fair, timely and transparent access to GSD in a sustainable way.

GISAID's Comments on the Preliminary Findings of the PIP Framework Review

Difficulties which the GISAID Initiative has experienced in developing dialogue with the PIP Secretariat (and the Advisory Group) exemplify a lack of transparency and openness with some key stakeholders, engendering a lack of trust in contrast to that enjoyed by GISAID with GISRS and the GIP. While raised on numerous occasions, this problem has never been responded to in a satisfactory manner that would indicate the concerns raised are actually addressed.

Germany’s Statement on Substantive Issues and Concerns Regarding the PIP Framework and its Implementation 

The Federal Republic of Germany entered, in 2010, into a public-private partnership with the GISAID Initiative and has since hosted the publicly-accessible EpiFlu™ database, employing a unique sharing mechanism which ensures that inherent rights (e.g. IPR) of contributors of GSD are not forfeit. Access to EpiFlu™ is free and open to anyone who positively identifies himself or herself and agrees to respect the rights of contributors. This ensures fair and transparent sharing of GSD, making certain that all users mutually respect the rights of contributors and other users. Importantly, this mechanism provides contributors with the necessary incentive to rapidly share GSD, in the interests of Global Public Health.

Clarifying Misconceptions Regarding Influenza Research, GISAID, and the Role of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

We read with interest the October 2, 2011 opinion piece by Steven Salzberg titled, Is The Government Hiding Something About Swine Flu?, which was published on various internet blogs by Dr. Salzberg.  We fully support his right to express his opinions, and applaud his efforts to raise public awareness concerning influenza research and prevention.  Unfortunately, however, Dr. Salzberg’s  opinion piece contains certain fundamental misstatements and omissions that make his article dangerously misleading.