^aDuring a catastrophic infectious disease event, such as an influenza pandemic, there may be critical shortages of vaccines and drugs. Thus, clinics set up to administer vaccines and distribute antimicrobial drugs may require the services of a range of personnel whose fields of expertise are nonclinical. Examples of additional personnel that may be needed include law enforcement, translators, social workers, psychologists, and legal experts.
^bSource: Adapted from: National Vaccine Program Office. Pandemic influenza: a planning guide for state and local officials (Draft 2.1). Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2000.
^cAt the time of writing, the smallpox vaccination program was just beginning. For other bioterrorist agents for which vaccines are available (e.g., anthrax), limited supplies and concerns about safety profiles have, up to this point, effectively prevented the widespread use of these vaccines.
^dIt may eventually be possible to vaccinate high-priority groups and the general population with a yet-to-be-developed “common epitope” vaccine, which might provide for a broader spectrum of protection against a variety of influenza A subtypes.