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and Germany. One part of the U.S. government supported the academic work on mRNA, another part supported the effort to translate the basic research into marketable products, and another part funded vaccine companies that were working with mRNA and other vaccine technologies when the pandemic struck. Now rich countries' governments must lead the way on pandemic prevention: funding more research into better vaccines, better diagnostics, and better treatments; backing the GERM team; investing more in disease surveillance; and helping low-income countries improve their health systems. More funding is necessary, but not sufficient. For the GERM team to become a reality, wealthy governments will need to voice their support for it, and be ready to supply some of its staff members. Another key contribution will be to ease the path to approval for new tests, treatments, and vaccines, without sacrificing safety. As the scientists behind the Seattle Flu Study and SCAN saw firsthand, it's too difficult and time-consuming to put breakthrough ideas to work, especially during an emergency, when every hour counts. For their part, leaders of low- and middle-income countries can do more to fund their health systems--including staff, supplies, and facilities. They can also make it a priority to detect and stop outbreaks, seeking outside technical support and funding when they'll be helpful. They can support efforts to expand low-cost, high-volume manufacturing of drugs and vaccines in their regions. And by joining projects like the global system for sharing health data, they can give the world more insight into what's happening on the ground in every region. As the organization responsible for coordinating the GERM team, the WHO can help by keeping that group focused solely on its core mission: detecting outbreaks and sounding the alarm, hopefully preventing most from becoming pandemics. As part of that mission, the WHO