Blogs Reflect on Lessons Learned From H1N1

The Center for Strategic and International Studies' Commission on Smart Global Health policy's blog reflects on the success and failures in the U.S.'s response to the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic, drawing from reports in the media. Though the "2009 H1N1 has been the least lethal of modern flu pandemics ... [i]t could have been much worse," the blog writes. "Perhaps, as H1N1 is the first such pandemic in decades, many will not find this an immediate concern. When the next flu pandemic breaks out, however, they too will hope that the U.S. has built upon its successes in 2009 -- and learned from its failures. That process must start well in advance of the next outbreak" (Gannon, 1/11).

According to a Huffington Post blog post, "The H1N1 experience has taught us that a more robust U.S. response must address the inadequate global supply of vaccine during pandemic emergencies ... and enhance low and middle-income countries' domestic response capabilities." The piece continues, "In addition to stimulating vaccine production, the U.S. should devote additional financial and technical resources to building disease surveillance and response capacity in developing countries. Most importantly, the world needs a formal governance mechanism for pandemic emergencies that procures, stockpiles and distributes vaccines and supplies for developing countries to replace the current system of ad hoc donations" (Navario/Rosenstein, 1/11).

Back to other news for January 2010