OBJECTIVE: To repeat and update our previous evaluation (2005) of Europe's national pandemic influenza preparedness plans and assess the progress that has been made. METHODS: We assessed published national pandemic influenza preparedness plans from the European Union countries, from the two acceding countries (Bulgaria and Romania) and from Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. Plans were eligible for inclusion if formally published before 30 September 2006. We referred to WHO guidelines and used a systematically applied data extraction form. We considered plans in relation to border control measures, antiviral drugs and vaccines. FINDINGS: Twenty-nine countries had plans that were included in the analysis, compared with 21 countries in 2005. Substantial differences existed in countries' plans for border control measures, and many plans diverged from WHO guidelines. Likewise, countries' plans on antiviral drugs and vaccines varied and operational planning remained weak. CONCLUSION: Although progress has been made in the completeness of plans, problems remain unsolved regarding national plans' divergence from international recommendations, persisting strategic incoherence and operational limitations in relation to potentially scarce resources. Border control plans also show gaps and inconsistencies, and these are likely to be politically volatile during a pandemic.
OBJECTIVE: To repeat and update our previous evaluation (2005) of Europe's national pandemic influenza preparedness plans and assess the progress that has been made. METHODS: We assessed published national pandemic influenza preparedness plans from the European Union countries, from the two acceding countries (Bulgaria and Romania) and from Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. Plans were eligible for inclusion if formally published before 30 September 2006. We referred to WHO guidelines and used a systematically applied data extraction form. We considered plans in relation to border control measures, antiviral drugs and vaccines. FINDINGS: Twenty-nine countries had plans that were included in the analysis, compared with 21 countries in 2005. Substantial differences existed in countries' plans for border control measures, and many plans diverged from WHO guidelines. Likewise, countries' plans on antiviral drugs and vaccines varied and operational planning remained weak. CONCLUSION: Although progress has been made in the completeness of plans, problems remain unsolved regarding national plans' divergence from international recommendations, persisting strategic incoherence and operational limitations in relation to potentially scarce resources. Border control plans also show gaps and inconsistencies, and these are likely to be politically volatile during a pandemic.
Authors: Neil M Ferguson; Derek A T Cummings; Christophe Fraser; James C Cajka; Philip C Cooley; Donald S Burke Journal: Nature Date: 2006-04-26 Impact factor: 49.962
Authors: David Bell; Angus Nicoll; Keiji Fukuda; Peter Horby; Arnold Monto; Frederick Hayden; Clare Wylks; Lance Sanders; Jonathan Van Tam Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2006-01 Impact factor: 6.883
Authors: Alasdair R Duncan; Patricia C Priest; Lance C Jennings; Cheryl R Brunton; Michael G Baker Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2009-10 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Robyn Martin; Alexandra Conseil; Abie Longstaff; Jimmy Kodo; Joachim Siegert; Anne-Marie Duguet; Paula Lobato de Faria; George Haringhuizen; Jaime Espin; Richard Coker Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-09-03 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Toomas Timpka; Henrik Eriksson; Elin A Gursky; Magnus Strömgren; Einar Holm; Joakim Ekberg; Olle Eriksson; Anders Grimvall; Lars Valter; James M Nyce Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-03-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Wim Opstelten; Jim E van Steenbergen; Gerrit A van Essen; Marianne A B van der Sande Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2009-02-03 Impact factor: 2.497
Authors: Justin R Ortiz; Viviana Sotomayor; Osvaldo C Uez; Otavio Oliva; Deborah Bettels; Margaret McCarron; Joseph S Bresee; Anthony W Mounts Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2009-08 Impact factor: 6.883