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Joseph (Joe) Bresee is the Director of Respiratory Virus Prevention Programs at the Task Force for Global Health (TFGH), an international nonprofit organization working to improve the health of people in need, primarily in developing countries.

His work is geared toward respiratory virus prevention through the following programs at TFGH: Partnership for Influenza Vaccine Introduction (PIVI), the COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Program (CoVIP), and the Global Funders Consortium for Universal Influenza Vaccine Development. He also serves as Senior Advisor to Ready2Respond, a strategic advisory group made up of world-renowned seasonal influenza and pandemic preparedness experts from around the world.

Bresee began his public health career over 30 years ago at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer in the Influenza Branch in 1993. He then focused on research and public health activities related to rotavirus disease and vaccines to ensure that rotavirus inoculation was available for children domestically, as well as in developing countries. Later, he led the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch of the CDC’s Influenza Division.

In 2017, he was named Associate Director for Global Health Affairs in CDC’s Influenza Division. He brings his expertise in influenza and the expertise and resources of his team to PIVI, spearheading relationships with country partners.

In addition to authoring more than 250 peer-reviewed papers and textbook chapters, he also regularly participates in national and international meetings and technical groups on immunization and influenza. Bresee has been featured in publications including The Lancet, Scientific American, Harvard Health Publishing, MedScape, University of Minnesota, Healio, Medical Xpress and more.

Media areas of expertise: Vaccines, influenza, COVID-19, pandemics, pandemic preparedness, respiratory viruses, respiratory virus prevention, vaccine equity, vaccine administration in developing countries, public health, global health affairs.