Before COVID-19, the last large-scale pandemic was more than a century ago – the global influenza pandemic that killed an estimated 50 million people in 1918-1920.

However, according to the woman leading the soon-to-be-released federal review of the national response, former NSW Health boss Robyn Kruk, there have been six public health emergencies of international concern since 2014. This strongly suggests the next pandemic will be sooner than later.