Five States Not Prepared for Possible Pandemic

All localities conducted medical surge exercises, but none consistently documented lessons learned. And most exercises were discussions rather than operations-based.

In neither report did the agency identify the states or localities reviewed.

The second report looked at eight planning areas and 89 preparedness items for vaccine and antiviral drug distribution in the event of a pandemic.

None of the 10 localities had started planning for distribution or dispensing. "Localities plans generally were not actionable. For example, localities did not generally have valid and detailed formal agreements, such as a Memorandum of Understanding, with partnering agencies."

Between September 2006 and July 2008, the localities conducted 63 exercises related to distribution and dispensation of vaccines and antivirals. But most did not create action reports and improvement plans after these exercises.

All localities collaborated with community partners to develop and exercise plans.

The agency recommended that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention step in to determine the cause of any delays in preparedness and provide assistance. The CDC also should emphasize the importance of localities developing actionable vaccine and antiviral drug distribution and dispensing plans, according to OIG.