• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

HHS unveils draft pandemic influenza preparedness plan

Infection Control Monitor, August 27, 2004

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) August 26 released a draft of a plan that outlines a coordinated national strategy to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic.

The plan stresses ways to speed up vaccine production, limit the spread of such a super flu, and care for the ill. The public has 60 days to comment on the "Pandemic Influenza Response and Preparedness Plan." Find the draft www.hhs.gov/nvpo/pandemicplan

Specialists have expressed concern that the recurring bird flu in Asia has the potential to be the next pandemic.

Among other steps, the plan provides guidance to national, state, and local policy makers, and health departments for public health preparation and response in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak.

HS has increased support for pandemic influenza activities and is engaged in several efforts to enhance the nation's preparedness for such an outbreak. HHS supports pandemic influenza activities in five key areas: surveillance, vaccine development and production, antiviral stockpiling, research, and public health preparedness.

The draft plan includes a core section and twelve annexes. The core plan describes coordination and decision making at the national level; provides an overview of key issues; and outlines action steps that should be taken at the national, state, and local levels before and during a pandemic. Annexes provide additional information to health departments and private sector organizations for use in developing local preparedness plans as well as additional technical information to support the core document.

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive