• The Biden administration has released a new plan outlining its pandemic defenses while Trump vows to change many of these initiatives.
• Public health experts express concerns over the potential dismantling of crucial pandemic response structures.
• The report emphasizes vaccination efforts and surveillance systems put in place during Biden's term.
• Public health critics indicate the previous administration's response may not have adequately prepared the U.S. for emerging viral threats.
• Experts stress the significance of maintaining international collaboration and surveillance to prevent future pandemics.

The Biden administration unveiled a comprehensive “roadmap” on Tuesday aimed at bolstering the United States' defenses against infectious diseases, just as President-elect Donald Trump signals intentions to dismantle many of these protective measures. This new initiative, detailed in a 16-page report, summarizes actions taken over the past four years to combat COVID-19, mpox, and other health challenges, including vaccination campaigns and wastewater management strategies to monitor potential outbreaks. This report serves as a public version of a more extensive 300-page pandemic preparedness playbook that Biden officials claim to have prepared for the incoming administration ([AP News](https://apnews.com/article/pandemic-preparedness-trump-biden-192518a8e1414cf40bafefdc2bf1f5ca)).

While Biden officials highlighted their achievements in addressing public health threats, some researchers described a mixed picture regarding the administration's overall effectiveness. For instance, concerns have been raised that not enough has been done to mitigate the growing risk of bird flu, which may evolve into a significant health threat. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, stated, “Overwhelmingly you’ve heard a lot of frustration by outside experts that we’ve been underreacting to what we see as really serious threat” ([Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-01-14/biden-health-officials-pandemic-defenses-trump-promises-changes)).

Trump's team has indicated its plans to cut government expenditures, which includes critiques of the current pandemic preparedness office characterized by Trump as an expensive solution for ineffective operations. Historical actions during Trump's previous administration, such as dismantling the National Security Council’s pandemic unit and withdrawing from the World Health Organization, are also highlighted as detrimental to national health response efforts.

Despite the criticisms, Trump's administration did receive commendation for Operation Warp Speed, which expedited the production of COVID-19 vaccines. However, experts argue that this effort largely built upon decades of prior research and frameworks, suggesting it wasn’t solely attributed to the Trump administration's policies ([AP News](https://apnews.com/article/pandemic-preparedness-trump-biden-192518a8e1414cf40bafefdc2bf1f5ca)).

Notably, the Biden administration has taken specific measures to address the threat posed by bird flu, which has been identified in various animal populations. This response includes prioritizing the stockpiling of vaccines and investing significantly in mRNA technology to adapt to potential mutations in virus strains. Michael Osterholm from the University of Minnesota emphasized the imperative of preparing for unpredictable influenza outbreaks, stating, “We don’t really have any understanding of what influenza virus will emerge one day to cause the next pandemic.”

Experts advocate for maintaining international cooperation to monitor infectious diseases and proactive training of global disease investigators, underlining that sustained investment in surveillance is essential for averting potential health crises. Ian Lipkin, an infectious diseases researcher at Columbia University, called for vigilance in regions with a high risk of emerging infections, noting, “I’m hoping that the Trump administration...will see the wisdom in trying to make sure that we do surveillance in areas where we think there’s a large risk.”

The contrasting public health philosophies between the outgoing and incoming administrations underline critical future directions for America's approach to managing infectious diseases.

For more detailed information, see the full articles from AP News and Los Angeles Times.