States Left on Their Own to Plan for Flu Pandemic

by Mike Hall, Aug 24, 2006

If a flu pandemic such as avian flu, better known as bird flu, were to strike the United States, government response—including who should receive vaccinations, surveillance, detection and containment measures—varies widely state by state because of “weak” federal guidance and direction, according to a survey and analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

We reported in May the Bush administration had no comprehensive strategy to protect front-line workers in the event of a pandemic and in March, the AFL-CIO Executive Council urged the Bush administration to develop such a plan. (The Pandemic Influenza section on www.aflcio.org provides information and links about protecting workers in the event of a flu pandemic. See below for more information.)

According to the September issue of the CDC publication, Emerging Infectious Disease journal:

The control of future pandemic or interpandemic influenza will necessarily rely on each individual state’s plan to vaccinate persons and detect and contain this disease. Still, the current national [Department of Health and Human Services] pandemic influenza plan presents only a categorization and listing of steps, rather than explicit direction for the states. This lack of central coordination can result in a patchwork of plans that will not adequately detect and control this or other respiratory disease pandemics….Why are there these state plans so disparate? We believe some of the problem results from weak central [federal] direction, as has been a criticism of national bioterrorism preparedness.

The survey also finds that not all states included first responders, such as emergency medical technicians, firefighters, police and others, in their vaccination plans.

The AFL-CIO and affiliate unions that represent health care workers and first responders have developed information and guidelines for workers and are urging the Bush administration to move to adopt rules to protect workers.

The AFL-CIO’s online Pandemic Influenza resource section includes up-to-date information for union members and front-line responders.

• Read more about the petition to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• Check out the AFL-CIO Executive Council’s statement on the need for emergency action to protect workers.
• See a bipartisan letter from 70 members of Congress calling on the Bush administration to protect health care workers in the event of a pandemic. A copy of H.R. 4603, which includes important language to protect health care workers and first responders, also is available for downloading.
• Get information about infection control and workplace protection for health care workers. Emergency responders can link to several Fire Fighters Web resources, and information for poultry workers is available from the CDC, OSHA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The site also offers links to flu protection and control information from the Flight Attendants-CWA, the Postal Workers and the Sheet Metal Workers.  

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