Vaccination

There is no suitable pandemic flu vaccine available

Vaccination is an important element of a long term pandemic flu plan. However, currently there is no suitable pandemic flu vaccine available. A specific pandemic vaccine cannot be developed until a flu pandemic has broken out and scientists can isolate the exact strain of virus. Once this is done, the world would still need to wait for the vaccine to be manufactured, distributed and administered – this will take up valuable time and allow a flu pandemic to take hold.

A pandemic flu outbreak will only take months to infect countries all around the world

Doctors warn it will take as little as three months from the first outbreak of pandemic flu until the virus reaches the UK and infects our families. This is why the UK Government and governments around the world have stockpiled antiviral medication (capsules) to try to help contain the early spread of infection.

To find out more about how you can protect yourself and your family from a flu pandemic with antiviral medication click the The Plan tab.