Prepare for a Flu Pandemic

The Basics

A flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new flu virus that spreads easily from person to person.

How is a flu pandemic different from seasonal (regular) flu?
Both types of flu are caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. In the United States, flu season is in the fall and winter. Every flu season, a vaccine is made to protect against seasonal flu. 

A flu pandemic is caused by a new flu virus that spreads easily and makes many people sick around the world. For example, the 2009 H1N1 virus (also called “swine flu”) caused a flu pandemic.

Find out more about how a flu pandemic is different from seasonal flu.

The Basics

Will the seasonal flu vaccine protect me against a flu pandemic?
The seasonal flu vaccine probably won’t protect against a pandemic flu virus. If a new flu virus starts to spread, a new vaccine may be made to protect people against it.

If there is a flu pandemic, you will need to get the pandemic vaccine when it’s available. It takes time to make vaccines to protect people from the flu.

The Basics

How can I prepare for a flu pandemic?
The same steps you take every year to protect yourself from seasonal flu can help in case of a pandemic. 

• Get a seasonal flu shot every year. Make sure everyone in your family age 6 months and older also gets a flu shot every year. 
• Wash your hands often.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Stay away from others if you are sick with a fever or other flu symptoms.

It’s also a good idea to prepare for a flu pandemic like you would prepare for any emergency or time when you might need to stay home for 1 to 2 weeks.

• Gather supplies.
• Make an emergency plan for your family.
• Write down important health information.

The Basics

How serious can a flu pandemic be?
Not all pandemics are the same. Pandemics can range from mild (similar to a regular flu season) to severe (with a lot of sickness and deaths).

A severe flu pandemic can make a lot of people sick at the same time. This can cause schools, businesses, and community events to shut down in order to slow the spread of illness.

Learn more about pandemic flu.

Take Action!

Take steps to stop the spread of germs and to prepare for an emergency, like a flu pandemic.

Stop the spread of germs.
To help stop the spread of germs that can cause the flu and other illnesses:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. You can also use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water aren’t available.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. This helps keep germs out of your body.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Stay home from work or school if you get sick. Stay home (except to go to the doctor) for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
• If you are sick, limit contact with other people so you don’t make them sick.
• Follow the advice of local officials about school and other closings.

Take Action!

Get a seasonal flu shot every year.
Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu shot every year. The best way to protect yourself and others from seasonal flu is to get a flu shot. Use this flu clinic locator to find out where you can get a flu shot.

A seasonal flu vaccine probably won’t protect you against a new pandemic flu virus. In a pandemic, a new vaccine will need to be made. This can take time. 

Take Action!

Prepare for an emergency.
You can help your family get through an emergency, like a flu pandemic, by taking these steps now.

Gather supplies.
Print out this emergency supply kit list and share it with your family. Start gathering emergency supplies and put them in a safe place. Keep enough water, food, medicine, and other supplies to last 2 weeks.

Make a family emergency plan.
Talk with your family about what you will do if there is a severe flu pandemic. For example, what will you do if schools are closed?

Make a list of emergency contact information. Include the phone numbers for your local hospital, doctor, school, and other emergency contacts. Print out this family emergency plan to get started [PDF - 520 KB].

Take Action!

Write down important health information.
Print out this emergency health information sheet [PDF - 29 KB]. Write down the health information for each member of your family. Include information like:

• Allergies
• Health conditions
• Medicine

Keep this information in a safe place.