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Overview
National Strategy
Federal Agency Pandemic Planning Implementation Plans
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Activities
Other Federal Agency Activities
H1N1 (Swine) Flu

Overview

The National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, issued on November 1, 2005, guides our nation's preparedness and response to an influenza pandemic, with the intent of (1) stopping, slowing or otherwise limiting the spread of a pandemic to the United States; (2) limiting the domestic spread of a pandemic, and mitigating disease, suffering and death; and (3) sustaining infrastructure and mitigating impact to the economy and the functioning of society. The Strategy charges the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services with leading the federal pandemic preparedness.

The Implementation Plan for the National Strategy, released on May 3, 2006, translates the Strategy into more than 300 actions for Federal departments and agencies and sets clear expectations for State and local governments and other non-Federal entities. It also provides guidance for all Federal departments and agencies on the development of their own plans.

National Strategy

National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza (PDF - 570KB)
Outlines responsibilities that individuals, industry, state and local governments, and the federal government have for preparing and responding to a pandemic
Implementation Plan Three Year Summary
Implementation Plan Two Year Summary
The Two Year Summary reports on the progress of Federal Departments and Agencies in implementing the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan (Implementation Plan), along with responses from departments and agencies.
Implementation Plan One Year Summary (PDF - 1.87MB)
The One Year Summary reports on the progress of Federal Departments and Agencies in implementing the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan (National Plan). Approximately two-thirds of the 324 actions in the National Plan were targetd for completion within one year of the National Plan’s release. Of the one year actions, nearly 90 percent have been completed.
Summary of Progress
Implementation Plan Fact Sheet [En Español] (The White House Archive)
Provides brief overview of the 234-page plan
- Implementation Plan for the National Strategy (PDF - 4MB)
  The Implementation Plan identifies the critical steps that must be taken immediately and over the coming months and years to address the threat of an influenza pandemic. It assigns specific responsibilities to Departments and Agencies across the Federal Government, and includes measures of progress and timelines for implementation. It also provides initial guidance for State, local, and tribal entities, businesses, schools and universities, communities, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), on the development of their institutional plans and provides initial guidance for individuals and families on ways that they can prepare for a pandemic.
- Press Briefing by Scott McClellan and Homeland Security Advisor Fran Townsend (The White House Archive)

Report to the President on Reengineering the Influenza Vaccine Production Enterprise to Meet the Challenges of Pandemic Influenza (PDF - 2.5 MB)
This August 2010 report by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recommends improvements that would speed production of not only vaccines for influenza, but also an array of other medical countermeasures against infectious diseases that could erupt naturally or occur as a result of a biological attack.
Report to the President on U.S. Preparations for 2009-H1N1 Influenza (PDF - 2.2 MB)
Released in August 2009, the report by PCAST reviews response options for minimizing negative impacts from a fall 2009 H1N1 epidemic and provides an integrated set of recommendations about how to think about hard issues and key policy decisions regarding the epidemic. The nation’s response to the threat of a fall epidemic involves decisions by government on medical, scientific, social, and financial issues.
Vaccine Prioritization (PDF - 183 MB) (HHS & DHS)
Draft plan determines which groups and individuals are vaccinated first in the event of a flu pandemic to reduce impact on health and minimize disruption to society and the economy.

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Federal Agency Pandemic Planning Implementation Plans

The National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan contains over three hundred actions for Federal Departments and Agencies, almost all with timelines and measures of progress. The December 2006 Summary of Progress contains a list of actions due to be completed within 6 months of the release of the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan, followed by a summary of progress (in italics) prepared by the relevant Department(s) and Agency(ies) for this report. The assessment is indicated directly after the action number. Note: The Summary refers to chapters four through nine because they contain action items; chapters one, two and three do not.

December 2006 Summary of Progress (PDF - 230.67 KB)
December 2006 Summary of Progress Fact Sheet [En Español] (The White House Archive)
Progress Checklist ()

Individual Department and Agency Reports (as available):

Department of Defense Implementation Plan for Pandemic Influenza (PDF - 432 KB) (U.S. Department of Defense)
HHS Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan – Part 1 (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
VA Pandemic Influenza Plan (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)

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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Activities

Pandemic Planning Updates
Each report provides status on five key planning areas: monitoring and surveillance, vaccines, antiviral medications, state and local preparedness, and communications.
- Update III, November 13, 2006
- Update II, June 29, 2006
- Update, March 13, 2006
HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan Fact Sheet
Provides brief overview of the 395-page plan
- HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan
  Supplies guidance to national, state, and local policy makers and health departments, outlining key roles and responsibilities during a pandemic and specifying preparedness needs and opportunities.
Leadership Forum and Blog
On June 13, 2007, Secretary Leavitt convened a leadership forum on pandemic preparedness, bringing together highly influential leaders from the business, faith, civic and health care sectors to discuss how best to help Americans become more prepared for a possible influenza pandemic. The Department hosted this five-week blog summit to expand this conversation as part of an ongoing effort by the Department to help Americans become more prepared.
The Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise Review (PDF - 2.19 MB)
This August 2010 report examines the federal government’s system to produce medications, vaccines, equipment and supplies needed for a health emergency, known as medical countermeasures. The report reviews the process and makes recommendations for a better approach.
Pandemic Countermeasures: Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP)
- Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act
- Notice of first amendment to the June 15, 2009 Republished Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.
Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) for Pandemic Influenza Medical Countermeasures Utilization Protocol & Decision Tools
Computer Model Examines Strategies to Mitigate Potential U.S. Flu Pandemic (National Institute of General Medical Sciences)
Read about research, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), that uses computer modeling to predict results of different actions to reduce the number of cases and slow the spread of pandemic flu. Includes video clip of two scenarios.
BARDA Funds Advanced Development of New Influenza Antiviral
HHS Purchases Intravenous Antiviral Flu Medication to Help Hospitalized Patients
HHS Awards Contracts Totaling More Than $1 Billion To Develop Cell-Based Influenza Vaccine
FDA Approves New Laboratory Test to Detect Human Infections with Avian Influenza A/H5 Viruses
HHS Assists States With Another Antiviral Drug Purchase
HHS Assists States With Antiviral Drug Purchases
HHS Buys Additional Antiviral Medication as Preparations for Potential Influenza Pandemic Continue
HHS Buys Additional Vaccine As Preparations For Potential Influenza Pandemic Continue
HHS Buys Vaccine and Antivirals in Preparation for a Potential Influenza Pandemic
Terrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies: A Reference Guide for the Media
How to quickly and clearly communicate terrorism and public health emergency messages to the public
Questions and Answers on the Executive Order Adding Potentially Pandemic Influenza Viruses to the List of Quarantinable Diseases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Understand what the President's Executive Order says through a series of questions and answers.

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Other Federal Agency Activities

USAID Launches Emerging Pandemic Threats Program (U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID)
Avian Influenza (U.S. Department of State)
Provides overview of State Department actions
Avian and Pandemic Influenza: The Global Response (PDF – 2.3MB) (Avian Influenza Action Group, U.S. Department of State)
Summary of international actions to prevent an avian influenza pandemic among humans.
Avian Influenza Response (U.S. Agency for International Development)
Gives information on assistance provided to affected countries
Pandemic Planning Report (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
This report provides information on the progress of domestic and international monitoring of birds for H5N1 and preparation for the possibility of H5N1 in birds reaching the United States.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
Supplies reports of efforts to protect the United States against highly transmissible forms of avian influenza, via trade restrictions, monitoring, and other actions
Avian Influenza: Protecting the United States (PDF - 4.05 MB) (U.S. Department of Agriculture) [PDF en Español - 228KB]
Describes two types of bird flu and how the USDA is working with agencies nationally and internationally to watch for bird flu.
Avian Flu (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Provides an overview of Environmental Protection Agency's actions.
Avian Influenza (U.S.G.S. National Wildlife Health Center)
Provides information on avian influenza in migratory birds and the Department of the Interior plans to protect the health of employees and the 450 million people who visit Department-managed lands each year.
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic (PDF - 313 KB) (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Provides guidance and recommendations on infection control in the workplace, including information on potential proper mask and respirator use.
Emergency Planning: Influenza Outbreak (U.S. Department of Education)
Provides tools to assist with disseminating health information, planning for staff and student absences, and maintaining a learning environment during a Pandemic.
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Guide for Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (PDF) (3.91MB) (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
Provides contingency planning process for a pandemic. Also provides business planners with sector-specific and common pandemic information planning variables keyed to escalating disaster phases.
National Response Plan (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
Contains a comprehensive all-hazards approach to enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic incidents. Forms the basis of how the federal government coordinates with state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector during incidents.
Pandemic Influenza Watchboard (U.S. Department of Defense)
Provides information about avian flu, including recent outbreaks, Department of Defense involvement in dealing with avian flu, and how it could affect service member and civilian health.
Pandemic Flu (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
Lists VA resources on pandemic flu
Pandemic Flu Planning Resources (U.S. Fire Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
Provides planning resources to assist first responders in preparing for a national flu pandemic.
National Avian Influenza Surveillance Information (U.S. Geological Survey)
View a web site showing current information about wild bird sampling for early detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States
EMS Pandemic Influenza Guidelines for Statewide Adoption (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
Plans and procedures that define the role of emergency medical services (EMS) in preparing for, mitigating and responding to pandemic influenza.
Recommendations for Protocol Development for 9-1-1 Personnel (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
Guidance for state and local EMS and 9-1-1 agencies developing pandemic influenza plans and operational protocols.