Pandemic Influenza
Experts agree that a global pandemic is a serious threat for which we all must prepare.
ATA has developed these important Web pages to provide the trucking industry with a current and reliable source of pandemic and avian flu information relevant to the motor carrier industry. These pages are designed to provide the industry with a central source of information and links that can help you understand the pandemic threat, offer guidance on developing preparedness and business continuity plans for your organization, and keep you current with federal pandemic transportation strategic and implementation plans. As key stakeholders, ATA and the Agriculture and Food Transporters Conference are working in partnership with various federal agencies as they incorporate transportation, security, health and cross border recommendations into a National Pandemic Implementation Plan.
These pages will be updated as new information becomes available, so be sure to bookmark this site and check back often to receive the latest information.
Pandemic Flu Risk Management Calculator for Businesses
Estimate the cost of pandemic flu on your business.
(GlaxoSmithKline, together with Milliman Consultants and Actuaries have developed a tool to
help businesses estimate the health and financial effects of a pandemic on their organizations.)
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued interim guidance for trucking companies operating during an outbreak of pandemic influenza. The guidance is meant to educate management about precautions and appropriate work practices to minimize exposure and prevent workplace-related transmission of flu. The guidelines were developed for three main segments of the trucking industry (government carriers, private fleets and for-hire carriers) but are applicable to all types of carriers. According to the guidance, during a pandemic it is likely that up to 40 percent of a workforce could be absent at any given time. Because of the importance of maintaining trucking operations, HHS encourages businesses to both implement a continuity of operations plan (COOP) and to educate their employees about standard precautions to minimize the risk of transmission. Previously, HHS worked with ATA and other highway-user stakeholder groups to develop a preparedness checklist that will help in developing a COOP. The guidance focuses on health education that, properly implemented, can significantly deter pandemic flu infection. These methods include social distancing, frequent hand washing and use of personal protective equipment on both healthy and possibly infected workers.
Highway and Motor Carrier Sub-Sector Pandemic Guidelines Available
Draft Guidance on Employer Antiviral Stockpiling
On June 3, 2008 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released Draft Proposed Considerations for Antiviral Stockpiling by Employers in Preparation for an Influenza Pandemic. This Guidance, in the last stage before final guidance, advises employers to consider the addition of antiviral drugs to their pandemic preparedness plans. Unfortunately, State and local government public health agencies have made clear that they can and will seize these private stockpiles if deemed necessary during a pandemic emergency. HHS has refused to preempt these State and local authorities' seizure powers and thereby vastly lowered the odds of businesses adopting these measures. The seizure argument was the main focus of ATA's comments on the Guidance, which can be accessed below.
ATA's Comments on the Draft Guidance
Draft Guidance on Vaccine Prioritization
On Oct. 17, 2007, the Department of Health and Human Services released its Draft Guidance on Targeting and Allocating Pandemic Influenza Vaccine. This Guidance divides the population into five tiers based on vulnerability or holding a position critical to the nation’s functionality. Truck drivers were placed in the third tier for vaccine. ATA submitted comments on the Draft Guidance, suggesting the truck drivers should be classified in the second tier, immediately after first responders and medical personnel.
ATA’s comments on the Draft Guidance