Influenza Pandemic
A pandemic is an epidemic that spreads rapidly around the world with high rates of illness. Although people are exposed to different strains of the flu virus every year, history has shown that several times each century entirely new flu strains develop. Because no one has had a chance to develop immunity to the new flu strain, it can spread rapidly and widely. If the changed virus easily spreads from person to person, a pandemic can occur.
Pandemics are different than seasonal flu outbreaks. Seasonal flu outbreaks are caused by small changes in influenza viruses that people have already been exposed to. A new flu vaccine is developed each year to protect people against the expected changes in existing viruses. That's why annual flu shots are needed and are effective. But since an influenza pandemic is caused by an entirely new strain of flu virus, preparing a vaccine in advance is not as simple as it is for seasonal flu.
New York State, the state's local health departments and the federal government are actively involved in planning for the possibility of an influenza pandemic. The New York State Department of Health has developed an influenza pandemic plan and will update it as information and conditions change.
- Health care personnel with questions about influenza vaccination requirements please call 1-800-808-1987
Pandemic Influenza Plan
- 2008 Pandemic Influenza Plan
- Allocation of Ventilators in an Influenza Pandemic
- Aware Prepare: Knowledge is Power - New York State Office of Homeland Security
- Pandemic Flu Action Kit for Schools (PDF, 4.82MB 67pg.)
- Planning and Prepardeness Packet for Colleges and Universites (PDF, 1.5MB 30pg.)
- Pandemic Influenza Plan Briefing (PDF, 59KB, 11pg.)
Learn more about influenza pandemics:
- Influenza (Flu) Related Press Releases
- Pandemic Influenza Frequently Asked Questions
- Community Engagement Meetings on Pandemic Influenza - Final Report (PDF, 917KB, 49pg.)
- Community Engagement Meetings on Pandemic Influenza - Follow Up Material (PDF, 39KB, 5pg.)
- Pandemic Flu: 3 things to KNOW, 3 Things to DO, 3 Places to GO to Learn More (color) (PDF, 3.8MB, 1pg.)
- Pandemic Flu: 3 things to KNOW, 3 Things to DO, 3 Places to GO to Learn More (black and white) (PDF, 549KB, 1pg.)
- Gripe pandémica: 3 cosas que DEBE SABER, 3 coasa que DEBE HACER, 3 lugares donde puede informarse mejor (color) (PDF, 280KB, 1pg.)
- Gripe pandémica: 3 cosas que DEBE SABER, 3 coasa que DEBE HACER, 3 lugares donde puede informarse mejor (negro y blanco) (PDF, 319KB, 1pg.)
- PandemicFlu.gov - The official U.S. government Web site for information on influenza pandemic and avian flu.
- What You Should Know about Using Facemasks and Respirators during a Flu Pandemic - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Educational Materials
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