Pandemic influenza planning: addressing the needs of children.
Children represent one quarter of the US population. Because of its enormous size and special needs, it is critically important to address this population group in pandemic influenza planning. Here we describe the ways in which children are vulnerable in a pandemic, provide an overview of existing plans, summarize the resources available, and, given our experience with influenza A(H1N1), outline the evolving lessons we have learned with respect to planning for a severe influenza pandemic. We focus on a number of issues affecting children-vaccinations, medication availability, hospital capacity, and mental health concerns-and emphasize strategies that will protect children from exposure to the influenza virus, including infection control practices and activities in schools and child care programs.
Stevenson
Elizabeth
E
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Mailstop D10, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. bstevenson@cdc.gov
Barrios
Lisa
L
Cordell
Ralph
R
Delozier
David
D
Gorman
Susan
S
Koenig
Linda J
LJ
Odom
Erica
E
Polder
Jacquelyn
J
Randolph
Jean
J
Shimabukuro
Tom
T
Singleton
Christa
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012574:Schools; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
D000998:Antiviral Agents