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Pandemic Flu: Vaccines and Antivirals

Vaccines

Current flu vaccines will not protect against a new pandemic strain of influenza virus. Because it takes several months to develop and distribute vaccine for a new strain, a vaccine probably would not be available in the early stages of a pandemic. If a pandemic occurs, it is expected that the U.S. government will work with many partner groups to make recommendations to guide the early use of vaccine.

Antiviral Medications

Antiviral medications can be used to treat and/or prevent influenza A viruses. However, influenza strains can become resistant to antiviral medications. For example, only one antiviral medication works reliably against the H5N1 avian influenza virus identified in human patients in Asia in 2004 and 2005. The supply of this antiviral medication is very limited worldwide, and no pharmaceutical company in the United States manufactures it.