Is there a pandemic influenza vaccine?
Pandemic Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsNo. Federal officials have contracted with a manufacturer to produce a small supply of human vaccine against H5N1 bird flu, and clinical trials are underway. The vaccine might not be effective if the H5N1 virus changes to a strain that more easily infects humans.
Related QuestionsWhen will a vaccine against pandemic influenza be available?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pandemic Influenza and Avia...Currently there is no Avian Influenza Vaccines available for an influenza pandemic. The exact pandemic influenza virus cannot be identified before a pandemic, and current vaccine-making techniques require six to eight months to manufacture influenza vaccine. Questions and Answers: H5N1 Avian Flu Vaccine Trials The federal government’s goal is to have enough vaccine for everyone, but supplies will probably be limited in the early stages of a pandemic.
Related QuestionsIf it is available, will first responders get the vaccine for pandemic influenza?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pandemic Influenza and Avia...Yes, according to guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, first responders and other healthcare personnel are some of the priority groups that will receive the vaccine against pandemic influenza when it becomes available. All properly worn personal protective equipment should protect the wearer. However, it is never possible to assure safety with 100 % certainty.
Related QuestionsWhy won't the annual influenza vaccine protect people against pandemic influenza?
Pandemic Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsInfluenza vaccines are designed to protect against specific viruses that have already been identified, so a pandemic vaccine cannot be produced until a new influenza virus emerges and starts to cause a significant number of human illnesses. A virus that could cause a pandemic would be very different from the seasonal flu viruses for which there is already vaccine.
Related QuestionsWhy won't the annual flu vaccine protect people against pandemic influenza?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pandemic InfluenzaInfluenza vaccines are designed to protect against a specific virus, so a pandemic vaccine cannot be produced until a new pandemic influenza virus emerges and is identified. Even after a pandemic influenza virus has been identified, it could take at least 6 months to develop, test and produce vaccine.
Related QuestionsIs there a vaccine to prevent pandemic influenza?
Public Health Preparedness Program: Pandemic Flu InformationThere are no commercial supplies of vaccine against pandemic influenza virus because the specific pandemic strain is not known in advance. It is impossible to develop a perfect match vaccine until a new influenza virus has shifted to human-to-human transmission and that strain has been identified and characterized so that a vaccine can be developed.
Related QuestionsCouldn’t we just get a flu vaccine if there is a pandemic influenza?
Santa Barbara County - Pandemic Flu ResponseInfluenza viruses change very quickly. Each year, manufacturers make a new vaccine, to protect against the specific kind of virus that is spreading around the world. It usually takes about 9 months to make a new vaccine that protects against a new flu virus. That means that there will probably not be any vaccine for a new pandemic influenza virus for at least the first 6 months after a pandemic started.
Related QuestionsCan I get the pandemic influenza vaccine once it is developed?
Pandemic Flu Frequently Asked Questions - Vermont Department...Very few people would be able to get vaccinated at first. If a pandemic starts, federal, state and local governments will work with partner groups to make specific recommendations on the early use of vaccine. Current recommendations are to use limited vaccine supplies for health care workers and people at highest risk of death. Over time, as more vaccine is produced, more people would be vaccinated.
Related QuestionsWhat is influenza pandemic?
Champlain College: Emergency Preparedness: Pandemic FluA pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population, begins to cause serious illness, and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.
Related QuestionsSanta Barbara County - Pandemic Flu Responseinfluenza pandemic is an outbreak of disease that occurs when there is a new flu virus that can spread from person-to-person. Because a pandemic virus is new, no one has immunity to it, so it spreads quickly around the world. There have been three influenza pandemics in this century - in 1918-19, 1957-58, and 1968-69.Related Questions
How close are we to developing the ideal pandemic influenza vaccine?
Developmentideal influenza vaccine that would protect against all strains of influenza is still very much upstream in the pipeline, and might not be available in the next five to 10 years.
Related QuestionsWill a vaccine be a magic bullet to control an influenza pandemic?
DevelopmentThe importance of pandemic vaccine is its reduction of health consequences during a pandemic. There is no magic bullet to control an influenza pandemic. A comprehensive approach to pandemic control includes a combination of non-pharmaceutical interventions, use of antiviral drugs and vaccines; this is the best way to mitigate the impact of an influenza pandemic. In addition, effectively responding to a pandemic goes beyond responding to disease alone.
Related QuestionsShould countries pre-purchase pandemic influenza vaccine?
Developmentpresent, WHO has not made any recommendations to countries about the pre- pandemic purchase of potential pandemic vaccine, but consultations are ongoing to identify the most appropriate strategies. Moreover, pre-purchase of vaccine is a national decision. First, to protect selected populations at risk of getting infected by viruses currently circulating among poultry.
Related QuestionsWhere do we stand in terms of developing an effective pandemic influenza vaccine?
DevelopmentSeveral experimental vaccines have been shown by industry to induce the type of immune response in human volunteers which is thought to be protective. This being said, a definitive demonstration of efficacy can only be obtained when these vaccines are tested in a pandemic.
Related QuestionsWhat are the chief obstacles to ensure universal access to pandemic influenza vaccine?
DevelopmentOne of the chief obstacles is that global vaccine production capacity is insufficient, mainly because the market demand for seasonal influenza vaccine is limited. In many countries, influenza remains a little recognized problem or the cost of influenza vaccine is too high and therefore the demand for influenza vaccine is low. In addition, many competing health problems in developing countries require urgent attention and financial investment.
Related QuestionsWhy is pandemic influenza so serious?
Avian Flu Q/APandemic influenza can cause widespread illness and death. The influenza virus, in a pandemic situation, will infect many people in a short time. In a very severe pandemic, many people might die. The demand for healthcare services will increase during a pandemic influenza outbreak, and the number of healthcare workers available will decrease due to illness. Many essential services will be strained, and everyday life may be severely disrupted for a period of months.
Related QuestionsWill H5N1 cause the next influenza pandemic?
Frequently Asked Questions About Pandemic InfluenzaScientists cannot predict whether an avian influenza (H5N1) virus will cause a pandemic. That is why we are focusing on comprehensive public health efforts — increasing surveillance monitoring for outbreaks, international cooperation, antiviral and vaccine stockpiles and building more robust capacity for vaccine production — that will help protect us no matter what pandemic strain emerges or where.
Related QuestionsWhat is pandemic influenza?
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Pandemic Influe...Pandemic influenza is a worldwide outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus to which people have little or no immunity appears in humans then spreads easily from person to person. The symptoms of such a virus would probably be similar to those of seasonal influenza, but the duration and/or severity of the symptoms might be different. The virus would spread the same way as a seasonal influenza virus.
Related QuestionsPandemic QuébecAvian influenza, also known as avian flu or chicken flu, is a contagious viral infection affecting all bird species (poultry, pet birds and wild birds). Since October 2003, avian influenza epizootics (animal epidemics) have been reported in chicken in Asia: Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, China, Laos and Indonesia. The virus strain in circulation is H5N1. To deal with these epidemic flare-ups, many countries are currently slaughtering millions of chickens.Related Questions
What effect would an influenza pandemic have on our communities?
Pandemic Influenza Frequently Asked QuestionsThe effects of a pandemic could be severe. Many people could become sick at the same time and be unable to go to work. Many of us might have to stay at home to care for sick family members. Schools and businesses might close for a time to try to reduce the spread of disease. Large group gatherings might be canceled. These are examples of challenges that are being considered as we plan for a pandemic response.
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