Pandemic Influenza: Follow-up

HL Paper 155, 3rd Report of Session 2008-09 - Report with Evidence

Author:

House of Lords - Science and Technology Committee

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

The original purpose of the Science and Technology Committee's inquiry was to revisit issues raised in their December 2005 report 'Pandemic Influenza (HL Paper 88)' (ISBN 9780104007723).

Whereas the initial focus was on the spread of the avian flu virus H5N1 as one of the most likely causes of the next pandemic, the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico in March 2009 and its rapid global spread means the world is now in the midst of an H1N1 pandemic.

Following the swine flu outbreak, the Committee shifted the focus of attention to UK preparedness in terms of the Government's response to the emerging pandemic and subsequent events. This report, 'Pandemic Influenza: Follow-up (HL Paper 155)', commends the steps that the Government has taken to prepare for the pandemic.

Steps taken include:

• entering into advance purchase agreements that will enable the UK to purchase up to 132 million doses of pandemic-specific vaccine 'sufficient for everybody in the UK when it becomes available';

• stockpiling antivirals to enable treatment of 50% of the population (the Government's 'worst case scenario'); and

• ensuring that there are sufficient antiviral collection points to cover the population in each Primary Care Trust.

The Committee has concerns about the longer-term planning, the delay in operation of the National Pandemic Flu Service, and critical care and surge capacity.

The report also covers advice to high risk groups and recommends a national reference point, for use by general practitioners, from which they can request advice on the treatment of high-risk groups.

Extent	134 pages	ISBN	9780108444845
Size	A4	Price	£17.50
Binding	Paperback	Published	28 Jul 2009
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges

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