Mathematical modelling to support New Zealand’s Covid-19 response
In this talk, I will describe some of the ways in which mathematical modelling contributed to the Covid-19 pandemic response in New Zealand. New Zealand adopted an elimination strategy at the beginning of the pandemic and used a combination of public health measures and border restrictions to keep incidence of Covid-19 low until high vaccination rates were achieved. The low or zero prevalence for first 18 months of the pandemic called for a different set of modelling tools compared to high-prevalence settings. It also generated some unique data that can give valuable insights into epidemiological characteristics and dynamics. As well as describing some of the modelling approaches used, I will reflect on the value modelling can add to decision making and some of the challenges and opportunities in working with stakeholders in government and public health.
Date: 17 June 2024, 11:00 (Monday, 9th week, Trinity 2024)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: L2
Speaker: Prof Mike Plank (University of Canterbury)
Organising department: Mathematical Institute
Organiser: Sara Jolliffe (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: sara.jolliffe@maths.ox.ac.uk
Host: Prof Ruth Baker (University of Oxford)
Part of: Mathematical Biology and Ecology
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Sara Jolliffe