Challenges on the interaction of models and policy for pandemic control

•Mathematical modelling has become prominent in public health decision-making.•We define seven broad challenges on the interface of modelling and policymaking.•Preparedness, collaboration, and communication are essential challenges in pandemic modelling for policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen infectious disease modelling at the forefront of government decision-making. Models have been widely used throughout the pandemic to estimate pathogen spread and explore the potential impact of different intervention strategies. Infectious disease modellers and policymakers have worked effectively together, but there are many avenues for progress on this interface. In this paper, we identify and discuss seven broad challenges on the interaction of models and policy for pandemic control. We then conclude with suggestions and recommendations for the future.