BE-PIN: A standardized data framework for pandemic preparedness in Belgium

Background

Since Fall 2020, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Belgium has linked employment and COVID-19 infection data to produce biweekly reports, enabling real-time monitoring of workplace infection patterns and informing non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). In retrospect, the monitoring process revealed key weaknesses, such as limited access to vaccination data, slow legal approvals, delays caused by complex linkages, and dependency on ad hoc arrangements that are not guaranteed to hold in future crises. A framework is needed that defines efficient data collection, data sharing, data analysis processes, and the necessary legislative provisions to guide Belgium in a future pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective evaluation of biweekly surveillance reports to develop a standardized framework. This includes the specification of data sources and flows, reproducible R scripts for incidence estimation and time-trend analysis, and recommendations to guide the design of a legal framework that enables efficient data access and sharing.

Results

The multicriteria framework integrates optimal data flows, prespecified data formats, user‑friendly R scripts, and legislative considerations to support faster analyses. It shows that Belgium’s broad surveillance architecture, covering hospital admissions, mortality, vaccination uptake, and infections, is a major asset. Sector‑level analyses revealed clear patterns, such as lower incidence in highly vaccinated sectors and the impact of school reopening on education‑related sectors. Periodic try‑outs of the framework are recommended to ensure long‑term readiness.

Conclusions

Experiences from the COVID‑19 pandemic offer valuable insights for building a robust, data‑driven preparedness system in Belgium. The proposed framework strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration, data sharing, and rapid analysis, and may serve as a foundation for future pandemic legislation to support more efficient and effective responses.

Key messages

• Belgium’s extensive workforce surveillance and health data enable detailed sector level monitoring, but complex data access and legal barriers must be overcome to ensure timely pandemic responses.

• Belgium developed a ready-to-use pandemic monitoring framework describing optimal data flows, formats, analysis tools, and legal guidance, potentially enabling faster, more efficient future responses.