Vaccines Questions

Vaccines are the time-tested means for preventing influenza. The United States government has developed and stockpiled a supply of H5N1 human vaccine.  This vaccine is sometimes referred to as "pre-pandemic" vaccine.  If the next pandemic comes from an H5N1 strain, this stockpiled supply may have some protective effect on the actual H5N1 strain causing the pandemic. Note that the vaccine is produced from H5N1 strains that currently exist, and that have not caused a pandemic. If the next influenza pandemic is caused by a different influenza strain, for example H7N2, then the stockpiled "pre-pandemic" vaccine based on the H5N1 influenza strain will have no effect on the pandemic. 

Find answers to frequently asked questions about influenza vaccines by following the links below.

• What is the difference between a vaccine and an antiviral?
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• Does the current seasonal influenza vaccine protect me from avian influenza?
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• How much time does it take to develop and produce an influenza vaccine?
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• How many influenza vaccine manufacturers have production facilities in the United States?
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• How will vaccine be distributed if a pandemic breaks out?
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• Why won't the annual flu vaccine protect people against pandemic influenza?
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• Where can I find a seasonal flu shot?