Request for comments on pandemic flu vaccine allocation; federal planning update

A few noteworthy items regarding the federal government's pandemic flu activities over the last month...

First, HHS is seeking public comment regarding prioritization strategies for limited supplies of pandemic flu vaccines. The request for information (RFI) is available here. Quoting from this document, the questions of particular interest are:

"What objectives, principles, strategies, criteria, assumptions and rationales should be considered in pandemic vaccine prioritization determinations?

What is the relative importance of the three goals described above and what are the associated implications for vaccine prioritization?

Which population group(s) should have priority for receiving pre-pandemic vaccine? Which should have priority for receiving pandemic vaccine? What is the rationale?

How can fairness, equity, efficiency and related principles be reflected in the determination of priority groupings for receipt of pre-pandemic or pandemic vaccine?

For priority groups, how should vaccine be allocated, distributed and administered? Who (federal, State or local authorities) should determine when and how the vaccine is distributed and administered?"

The deadline for sending comments is January 18. Comments will be posted here once they are made available. The goal of this RFI, aside from being an excellent opportunity to assemble a variety of perspectives on this very complex issue, is to contribute to efforts to formulate guidance at the federal level to assist state and local policymakers.

Speaking of the federal government, on December 18, a report was issued and posted at pandemicflu.gov summarizing steps taken in response to items outlined in the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan (the document released in May 2006). This CIDRAP News story reviews the report. Overall, an impressive amount of progress seems to have been made.