The past few annual influenza seasons, as well as recent avian flu activity in Asia, have raised the urgent question of whether the U.S. is prepared to deal with the threat of a flu pandemic.  The flu vaccine shortage of 2004 exposed tremendous gaps in the system.  Many localities did not have efficient ways to distribute scarce supplies, leading to long and potentially dangerous lines at pharmacies and supermarkets.  Others did not communicate clearly with the public, leading to concern and panic.  The largely private purchase of flu vaccine left scarce supplies scattered around communities, causing confusion, frustration and inequity.

The United States is particularly vulnerable to a vaccine shortage, because there is only one licensed manufacturing facility located in the United States.  Sanofi Pasteur, a French company, owns that facility.  A U.S. company, Chiron, has a flu vaccine facility in the United Kingdom.  However, there are concerns that in a pandemic, Chiron’s production would be redirected to Europe.

Congressman Ed Towns (D-NY), a member of the Government Reform Committee, stated: "In light of the events of last flu season and the potential for tremendous loss of life in the event of a flu pandemic, I question the pragmatism of one licensed manufacturing facility located in the United States, thus I urge the Administration to expedite the submission of its preparedness plan. Canada and the United Kingdom have finalized their plans to deal with the threat of a flu pandemic; however the Administration has yet to deliver a plan for the U.S. Further, the Administration needs to restore the $130 million cut in federal funding proposed for fiscal year 2006 for state and local preparedness.”

The Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918-1919 caused an estimated 40-50 million deaths worldwide, and some scientists predict that the next flu pandemic will be just as severe, and may occur within the next five years.  Experts estimate that a pandemic today could infect 25% of the world’s population and cause over 500,000 deaths and 2 million hospitalizations in the United States alone.  Some experts are warning that the resulting disruption to civil society and the economy could be catastrophic.