Gaps in U.S. child pandemic preparedness

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Children and teens account for 46 percent of all H5N1 bird flu deaths, but a report says there are gaps in U.S. child pandemic preparedness.

The report by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Trust for America's Health identified gaps in U.S. pandemic preparedness for treating and caring for children that include: child-appropriate doses of vaccine and medications; management and treatment of children who become ill; including children in strategies to slow the spread of influenza; and caring for and supervising the health of children if schools and childcare facilities are closed for extended periods.

"Children are not simply small adults, especially when it comes to medical concerns. The fact that H5N1 has been disproportionately impacting children and adolescents should give us pause," said Jeff Levi, executive director of Trust for America's Health. "As the United States prepares for the threat of a possible pandemic flu, we must make caring for our kids a priority, not an afterthought."

For example, neither of the two anti-viral drugs shown effective against H5N1 are licensed for children under age 1, and while it is recommended that the public consider using N95 respirator masks in certain circumstances during a pandemic outbreak, these masks are not currently produced in children's sizes.