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Ethics and Severe Pandemic Influenza: Maintaining Essential Functions Through A Fair and Considered Response
Title: Ethics and Severe Pandemic Influenza: Maintaining Essential Functions Through A Fair and Considered Response
Date: 2008
Author: Kass, Nancy E. et al.
Institution: Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science
Bibliographic Entry: Kass, Nancy E. et al., “Ethics and Severe Pandemic Influenza: Maintaining Essential Functions Through A Fair and Considered Response.” Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science
Vol. 6, Number 3, 2008 © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/bsp.2008.0020?cookieSet=1 (Accessed October 7, 2008)
Electronic Link: http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/bsp.2008.0020?cookieSet=1
Key Words: pandemic influenza, medical management, HHS, CDC, influenza vaccine, medical countermeasures, healthcare workers, vaccine allocation, protective equipment
Summary of Key Points, Issues, Conclusions: The purpose of this article is to illustrate ethics for pandemic planning, response, and resource allocation with 2 assumptions to consider: (1) in the face of severe pandemic influenza, local jurisdictions must be capable of sustained self-sufficiency, and (2) the secondary public health consequences of a severe pandemic could pose greater threats of illness and death than the influenza virus itself. In earlier discussions of these ethical issues, federal advisory committees recommended top priority of medical countermeasures for workers making and distributing vaccines, for healthcare workers, and for those at highest risk of hospitalization and dying (generally infants and the elderly). A contrasting view was recently delivered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending preservation of a functioning society as top priority in a pandemic influenza outbreak. The end result was handed down in a draft report from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommending a tiered prioritization scheme for allocation of vaccines within the 4 categories:
• National and homeland security
• Healthcare and community support services
• Critical infrastructure, and then
• General population
In order for this strategy to be a success, households and businesses must prepare for self sufficiency and stockpile food, water, supplies, and in some cases, medical countermeasures and protective equipment.
Name of Researcher: Ashanti Z. Corey
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: October 13, 2008