[New Pandemic Plan in Italy: the central role of epidemiology]

The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a radical rethink of pandemic preparedness in Italy. The new National Pandemic Plan, currently under discussion at the interregional level, represents a crucial opportunity to translate lessons learned into operational tools. In emphasizing the centrality of epidemiology in prevention, early surveillance, and timely response to health emergencies, structural and organizational criticalities of the current system are highlighted. Among the main recommendations: overcoming regional fragmentation, ensuring interoperable information infrastructures, strengthening local epidemiological surveillance, adopting advanced and shared systems for contact tracing, and defining common indicators to evaluate the strategies adopted. Special attention is given to enhance local epidemiological skills and the essential role of institutional communication. The document advocates for strong national coordination and shared strategies that turn past experience into the ability for concrete and timely responses to future challenges.