National Pandemic Strategy

Background

In 1997, avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses first spread from poultry to humans in Hong Kong. Of the 18 persons infected with the virus, 6 died. Concerned that this A(H5N1) virus could easily spread to and between people, the World Health Organization (WHO) and United States government increased pandemic preparedness. An influenza pandemic could place an extraordinary burden on health care systems and essential community services. Preparing for such a threat is an important priority.

In 2005, officials at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) developed a Pandemic Influenza Plan to coordinate and improve efforts to prevent, control, and respond to A(H5N1) viruses and other novel (non-human) influenza A viruses with pandemic potential. Although it is impossible to predict when the next pandemic will occur, three tools are used to guide national, state and local planning and response. These tools align with the World Health Organization's (WHO) global framework of pandemic phases and risk assessment activities for preparedness, response, and recovery.

National Pandemic Influenza Plans

In 2005 and 2006, the White House Homeland Security Council outlined the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza and National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan to guide the United States' preparedness and response activities in an influenza pandemic. These plans aimed to stop, slow, or otherwise limit the spread of a pandemic to the U.S.; limiting domestic spread, mitigating disease, suffering and death; and sustaining infrastructure and lessening the effects on the economy and society as a whole. At the same time, HHS framed its Pandemic Influenza Plan around a doctrine that laid out guiding principles for pandemic influenza preparedness and response.

Since 2005, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has worked with partners in public health, health care, and emergency management to enhance the nation's pandemic influenza preparedness. Today, there is a well-established domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity, stockpiles of influenza vaccines and therapeutics, and evidence-based guidance on prevention, mitigation and treatment available for state and local governments, the private sector, individuals, and families.

The nation now faces new challenges — how to sustain the advances made, how to keep up with the changes in how people live and work for example — and these challenges call for new approaches to better protect the nation against influenza pandemics. As part of HHS' overarching strategy to address these new challenges, seven focus areas ("Domains") have been developed to guide future efforts to improve pandemic influenza preparedness. HHS anticipates that the capacity and capabilities developed for pandemic influenza preparedness will enable HHS to respond more effectively to other emerging infectious diseases as well.

Preparing for the next pandemic is an ongoing, iterative process. HHS will continue to refine its approach and incorporate lessons learned as it continues to prepare the nation for the next pandemic.

National Pandemic Strategy

The following documents guide the United States’ preparedness and response in an influenza pandemic, with the intent of stopping, slowing or otherwise limiting the spread of a pandemic to the United States; limiting the domestic spread of a pandemic, mitigating disease, suffering and death; and sustaining infrastructure and mitigating impact to the economy and the functioning of society.

Resources