An influenza pandemic occurs when a novel influenza virus causes a worldwide outbreak of disease with a very high attack rate. One of the deadliest pandemics on record was the 1918 Pandemic—commonly referred to as the Spanish Flu. Another, more recent example is the 2009 H1N1 (“swine flu”) pandemic. Influenza pandemics have been a recurring phenomenon, and public health agencies serve a crucial role in preparing for and mitigating their effects.
ASTHO works with public health agencies to highlight the successes in responding to and preventing seasonal influenza, shares strategies across jurisdictions, and increases coordination and collaboration between public health, pharmacies, and diverse healthcare provider organizations.
Latest Influenza Resources
Episode 249: New Flu Vaccine Polling
In this newscast, Gillian K. SteelFisher, PhD, MSc, Director of Global Polling for the Harvard Opinion Research Program, reflects on her latest survey gauging public reaction to seasonal flu vaccines; Paula Tran, State Health Officer for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, discusses the work Greg Holzman, MD, MPH is doing to revamp the state’s Public Health Council as part of ASTHO’s Senior Leader Reserve Corps; an ASTHO report examines how flexible funding from the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant program supports innovation; and an ASTHO Blog Article says public health agencies have learned a lot about emergency preparedness during their response to COVID-19.
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