100 Years of Medical Countermeasures and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

Am J Public Health. 2018 Nov;108(11):1469-1472. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2018.304586. Epub 2018 Sep 25.

Abstract

The 1918 influenza pandemic spread rapidly around the globe, leading to high mortality and social disruption. The countermeasures available to mitigate the pandemic were limited and relied on nonpharmaceutical interventions. Over the past 100 years, improvements in medical care, influenza vaccines, antiviral medications, community mitigation efforts, diagnosis, and communications have improved pandemic response. A number of gaps remain, including vaccines that are more rapidly manufactured, antiviral drugs that are more effective and available, and better respiratory protective devices.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / history
  • Antiviral Agents / supply & distribution
  • Communicable Disease Control / history*
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods*
  • Global Health / history*
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Influenza Pandemic, 1918-1919 / history*
  • Influenza Pandemic, 1918-1919 / mortality
  • Influenza Vaccines / history
  • Influenza Vaccines / supply & distribution
  • Medical Countermeasures*
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Public Health Practice / history*
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Influenza Vaccines