Level of Preparedness for Pandemic Influenza among Key Leaders in Brazos County

• Main Author: Kaster, Elizabeth
• Other Authors: Pruitt, Buster E.
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: pandemic influenza; preparedness; emergency response
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2010-12-8957

With the outbreak of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) comes the need to evaluate the preparedness level of government entities that had preparedness plans. This study looks at the preparedness level for pandemic influenza among key leaders in Brazos County according to their Brazos County Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan. Ten key leaders were recruited to participate in interviews. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for salient themes. Main themes that emerged from interviews were categorized into vaccinations, communication, logistical issues, and the need for evaluations and feedback. Recommendations for increasing preparedness include addressing contingency plans, increasing education through public health efforts, addressing biosecurity, increasing use of technology, and increasing funding and research.