The AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Pandemic Influenza and the Blood Supply was formed in 2005 to help ensure that blood needs can be met in the event of an influenza pandemic. The task force is actively monitoring current information and data pertaining to a possible pandemic and has developed guidance for blood centers and hospital transfusion services to help them prepare for a pandemic and limit any related adverse impact on blood safety and availability.
AABB serves as the designated coordinating entity for the Interorganizational Task Force on Pandemic Influenza and the Blood Supply. In addition to AABB, members include America's Blood Centers, American Red Cross, Blood Centers of America, and AdvaMed. Representatives from the following government agencies also participate in task force discussions: Armed Services Blood Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services, and Food and Drug Administration.
The task force has updated the following background paper and the accompanying issues outline and planning checklist to incorporate lessons learned to date from the novel H1N1 flu pandemic and other current information. These documents are designed to assist blood centers, hospital blood banks and transfusion services in preparing for and responding to a pandemic. If you have questions or comments about these pandemic influenza documents, please contact govt_and_legal@aabb.org.
Pandemic Influenza Background Paper Version 2.0 (PDF)
Pandemic Influenza Issues Outline Version 2.0 (PDF)
Blood Collection Facility and Transfusion Service Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist Version 2.0 (PDF)
Information Resources from the FDA on the H1N1 Flu Virus
This Food and Drug Administration Web page provides links to testimony, press releases, fact sheets and other resources related to the H1N1 flu virus.
The AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Influenza Pandemics and the Blood Supply is urging the federal government to include personnel who are directly involved in the collecting, processing, testing or transfusing of blood products as a category that will be given high priority for influenza immunization. In a letter sent on January 18, 2007, to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, the task force notes that it is essential that certain blood center and transfusion service personnel and “committed” platelet and RBC donors have priority access to vaccines and antivirals in order to help ensure a safe and adequate blood supply in the event of a flu pandemic. HHS and other federal agencies are working to identify populations that should be given priority status for the expected limited supply of pandemic influenza vaccine.
Letter Requesting Vaccine Priority (PDF)
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