During the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic, some Pennsylvania physicians expressed concerns about inadequacies in the state’s vaccine distribution, as well as the capacity of laboratories to meet the demand surge.
In December 2010, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) released a report evaluating its response to the pandemic and identifying several areas the state will seek to improve. These include:
- Improving communications of vaccine ordering and delivery
- Developing better distribution options for small orders less than 100 doses
- Developing a surge plan for laboratories
- Enhancing logistics of critical resources by identifying a central leader, developing contingency plans for staff augmentation, evaluating purchasing, and positioning supplies
- Identifying safety and health needs of responders such as police, ambulance attendants, and EMTs
During last year’s pandemic, the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) worked closely with DOH, meeting with department staff several times to assist with planning, and communicating on a weekly, and even daily basis as needed, to ensure that communications to PAMED members were focused and up to date. PAMED will continue that relationship during planning and preparation for future pandemics.