Controlling pandemic influenza through vaccination programs

Despite its high impact on global mortality, morbidity and cost, seasonal influenza has been regarded as a self-limiting and controllable disease process. With the recent outbreaks of human infection owing to the virulent H5N1 avian influenza virus, the occurrence of the next flu pandemic appears to be closer than ever. With the lessons learnt from the three pandemics of the last century, we are preparing for this. Although not totally preventable, it appears to be possible to decrease the morbidity and mortality from influenza during a pandemic by taking appropriate and timely public health measures. This article aims to summarize the problem at hand and the possible tools available to at least offset the potentially massive impact of such a pandemic.