Pandemic Influenza Planning: Addressing the Needs of Children
Elizabeth Stevensona, Lisa Cohen Barriosa, Ralph L. Cordella, David M. DeLoziera, Susan E. Gormana, Linda J. Koeniga, Erica L. Odoma, Jacquelyn A. Poldera, Jean Randolpha, Tom T. Shimabukuroa, Christa M. Singletona
- aAt the time this article was completed, the authors were with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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Abstract
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.
TL;DRA number of issues affecting children are focused on-vaccinations, medication availability, hospital capacity, and mental health concerns-and strategies that will protect children from exposure to the influenza virus are emphasized, including infection control practices and activities in schools and child care programs. (Semantic Scholar)