NVAP Informant Survey.

The New Variant Assessment Platform (NVAP) was a global genomic surveillance programme established by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in April 2021. The NVAP offered sequencing and biological assessment capabilities, technical assistance, and training to support the detection and assessment of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and other high-priority pathogens globally. We present findings from a rapid evaluation of the NVAP. A mixed-method evaluation was conducted between June and November 2023 using a framework published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). A review of the NVAP documentation, online surveys with partners and programme informants, and structured interviews with strategic informants were undertaken. Survey data was analysed using descriptive statistics, and interview data and the NVAP documentation were analysed thematically. Survey responses were received from 31/46 partners (67%) and structured interviews were conducted with 11/13 strategic stakeholders (85%). Partners provided evidence that the programme had met its overarching objectives. The NVAP enabled partners to start undertaking genomic surveillance or strengthened their existing capabilities. The importance of maintaining the global genomic surveillance capabilities developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting ongoing programme sustainability in an evolving global genomic surveillance landscape was a recurring theme. Further themes included developing a pathogen agnostic approach, strengthening collaborations, promoting data sharing, and enhancing aspects of the NVAP offer. The NVAP achieved its overarching objectives, and qualitative findings showed it was responsive to stakeholder needs. The programme closed on 31 March 2024 following public health management of COVID-19 aligning to other common respiratory illnesses. We recommend that global health stakeholders should build resilient and adaptive surveillance systems, ensuring rapid detection and response to future health threats. Future research should focus on the longer-term utility and sustainability of global genomic surveillance initiatives and programmes.

新变种评估平台（New Variant Assessment Platform, NVAP）是英国卫生安全局（UK Health Security Agency, UKHSA）于2021年4月发起的全球基因组监测项目。该平台可为全球范围内严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2，即新冠病毒）及其他高优先级病原体的新变种检测与评估工作，提供测序与生物评估能力、技术援助及专业培训。本文呈现针对该平台的快速评估结果。本次混合方法评估于2023年6月至11月期间开展，采用经济合作与发展组织（Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD）发布的评估框架。研究期间，我们对NVAP相关文档进行了系统梳理，对项目合作伙伴与项目知情人开展了线上问卷调查，并对战略信息提供方实施了结构化访谈。调研数据采用描述性统计方法开展分析，访谈数据与NVAP相关文档则通过主题分析法完成编码与解读。本次调研共回收46家合作伙伴中的31份有效问卷，回收率达67%；完成13家战略利益相关方的结构化访谈，完成率为85%。合作伙伴反馈显示，该项目已达成其总体目标。NVAP助力合作伙伴启动基因组监测工作，或强化了其既有的监测能力。“维持新冠疫情期间构建的全球基因组监测能力，并在不断演变的全球基因组监测格局中推动项目持续运营”是本次评估反复出现的核心主题。其他核心主题还包括：构建病原体非特异性检测路径、深化跨主体协作、促进数据共享，以及优化NVAP的服务供给内容。NVAP成功达成了其总体目标，定性分析结果表明其可有效响应利益相关方的实际需求。随着新冠疫情公共卫生管理策略调整至与其他常见呼吸道传染病一致的框架，该项目于2024年3月31日正式终止。我们建议全球卫生利益相关方应构建具备韧性与适应性的监测体系，以确保能够快速识别并应对未来的公共卫生威胁。未来研究应聚焦于全球基因组监测相关举措与项目的长期效用及可持续性。