Assessing the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority's pandemic influenza vaccine program: a case study of the 2009-2010 H1N1 influenza pandemic

Due to the looming threat of an influenza pandemic, global investment was been placed into pandemic preparedness and response planning in order to mitigate and reduce the associated negative impacts. In June 2009, the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century was declared; however, the negative consequences that transpired were not as dire as those projected. As such, the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic provided an opportunity to test current pandemic preparedness plans in order to identify and close gaps between actual and ideal performances. This paper assessed the execution of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority's pandemic vaccine program plan, comparing it with the events of this pandemic. Areas for improvement identified include: issues surrounding implementation and enforcement of priority groups; expansion of activities aimed at increasing vaccine uptake; increasing public support of vaccines in general; and building in adaptation capacity within preparedness plans. Recommendations were made to address these issues.