IMPROVING VACCINATION
To address future outbreaks, the group urged U.S. health officials to shore up stockpiles of antiviral medications and other supplies, improve vaccine development capabilities and plan for rapid vaccination of all Americans.
It also urged government health officials to improve coordination at all levels of government and with other countries, and develop better strategies for school closings, sick-leave policies and other ways to limit public gatherings during periods of rapid infection.
The group specifically urged a halt to planned layoffs at state and local health departments, and recommended hospitals improve strategies for handling a large influx of patients.
Schuchat praised the report and said the CDC had already begun planning for how it would handle a second flu vaccination program on top of administering a seasonal flu vaccine.
A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office this week also said much more needs to be done to close gaps in the U.S. flu preparedness plan, including improving coordination between federal, state and local governments and the private sector.
"Gaps remain," Schuchat said, adding that CDC is meeting with groups representing state and local public health officials and with private sector health providers.
"This is an area we are working very hard at right now to make sure we are as well prepared as we can be for the fall."