Another influenza pandemic may inevitably occur in humans soon, many infectious disease experts agree. Yet the general public does not appear to share this perception, especially in the shadow of equally scary but less likely risks such as a bioterrorist attack with aerosolized smallpox. Moreover, recent problems with the availability and strain-specificity of vaccine for annual flu epidemics in some countries and the rise of pandemic strains of avian flu in disparate geographic regions have alarmed experts about the world's ability to prevent or contain a human pandemic.

For these reasons, the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Microbial Threats will host the public workshop Pandemic Influenza: Assessing Capabilities for Prevention and Response on June 16 and 17, 2004, in Washington, D.C. Through invited presentations and discussion, this workshop will aim to inform the Forum, the public, and policymakers of the likelihood of an influenza pandemic and to explore the issues that must be resolved now to prepare and protect the global community. Workshop Objectives

Day 1 Agenda and Presentations
Day 2 Agenda and Presentations