IDSA's Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Principles for United States Action, which rely upon the experience of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, are intended to assist the US Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and other agency officials as they establish priorities for implementation of the reauthorized Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).
IDSA strongly believes that much work remains ahead of us, and overall responses to seasonal influenza and pandemic preparedness must be closely interrelated. IDSA calls for:
- Coordination between HHS and other US government departments, as well as a need for better coordination within HHS, particularly concerning influenza vaccine efforts;
- Establishing processes for continual review of critical and rapidly evolving components of influenza preparedness, such as the contents of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS);
- Vigorously supporting the uptake of the annual influenza vaccine by health care workers including through the adoption of a mandatory approach; and
- Significant and sustainable multi-year funding that may be used flexibly particularly by local health departments for "All-Hazards" preparedness.
Contact your Congressional representative through our Advocacy Center to support legislation in Congress that would strengthen US preparedness and response to pandemic and seasonal influenza.