Table 2.
Summary of selected features of provincial, territorial and national pandemic plans.
| Source | Plan publication date | Unique plans for children and families | Psychosocial issues addressed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government of Alberta: Alberta Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health System for Health Care Professionals | April 2008 | • Priority of vaccines given to infants 6–23 months | • Mentions psychosocial impact of a pandemic on children and families and resulting concerns |
| • Notes different symptoms, assessment, treatment, triage, isolation and comorbidity concerns in children | • Suggests parents communicate with children and youth about the pandemic and be watchful for signs of mental health concerns | ||
| • Portion of the stockpile of antivirals available for young children who cannot swallow capsules | |||
| • Mentions need for communication to organizations, including daycares and school boards | |||
| • Recommends school closures and acknowledges potential disruptions for health care workers with children | |||
| Government of British Columbia: British Columbia Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan | October/August 2005 | • Notes that pediatric specific supplies will be needed | • Agencies must “determine support needed for orphaned children and the need for grieving and counselling services” |
| • Mentions different needs of children in terms of vaccinations, isolation, treatment | • Importance of supporting staff “through critical incident debriefing, grief counselling, child care support, etc.” | ||
| • Children's/Pediatric Unit is one area in which the demand may increase markedly and continuing operation is crucial-health authority and facilities should consider these areas and determine which are critical to keep them operational | • No mention of psychosocial care of children and families in hospital | ||
| • Need for coordinated planning with other ministries, including the Ministry of Children and Family Development | |||
| • School closures for infection control | |||
| Government of Manitoba: Preparing for Pandemic Influenza in Manitoba | March 2006 | • Encourages families to plan ahead for school closings, absenteeism, and support within communities—asks parents to have back up plan should they get sick if schools/day care centres are closed | Not mentioned |
| • Identifies that children experience different symptoms than adults, and that young children are a high risk group | |||
| Government of Manitoba: Preparedness Guidelines for Manitoba School Divisions and Schools (K-12) | October 2007 | • Preparation of school divisions for a potential pandemic | • Notes the importance of providing psychosocial support services for staff, students and families during and after a pandemic |
| • Focus on internal and external communication | |||
| • Notes different symptoms and infectiousness of children | |||
| Government of New Brunswick: New Brunswick Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health Sector | December 2005 | • Social distance mentioned with regards to closing schools | Not mentioned |
| • School reporting part of the plan—when more than 10% of children are absent | |||
| Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: Pandemic Influenza: Planning Guidelines, Roles and Responsibilities for the Health Sector | November 2007 | • Measures to increase social distance, such as school closures | • Mentions need for psychosocial support, but no specific mention of children |
| • Flu surveillance in child care settings | |||
| • Notes different symptoms, isolation periods and vaccination requirements | |||
| Government of Nova Scotia—Pandemic Influenza | January 2008 | • Parents, children and youth will be provided with education, self-care and service access information | • Social and mental health supports for health care workers, but no mention of children or families |
| • School closures which may be disruptive to students and parents | |||
| • Communication with school boards | |||
| Government of Nunavut Territories: Nunavut Press Release—Part of National Pandemic Preparedness Effort | Press Release, May 2006 | Not mentioned | Not mentioned |
| Government of Nunavut Territories: Developing healthy communities: a public health strategy for Nunavut | November 2005 | Not mentioned | Not mentioned |
| Government of Ontario: Ontario Health Plan for Influenza Pandemic—Chapter 18 Pediatric Services | August 2008 | • School closings and day care centres closings will impact parents | • Psychosocial support for children treated for influenza and their families mentioned |
| • Recognizes that children may have different risk factors, symptoms and treatments than adults | • Need for grief and bereavement counselling for children and families mentioned | ||
| • Family physicians may require more support because of increased demand during pandemic since families rely on family physicians for treatment of child | |||
| • Discussed strategies for meeting needs of children and families: communication, education utilizing age-appropriate information, infection control to reduce spread among children, child care services for workers critical for infrastructure, treatment for children with influenza, treatment considerations for obstetric and neonatal care, treatment based on values specific to caring for children, e.g. family-centred care | |||
| Government of Prince Edward Island: Pandemic Influenza Contingency Plan for the Health Sector | December 2006 | • Notes school closures and potential disruptions to parents and children | • Notes importance of psychosocial well-being, but no mention of children and families |
| • Notes different symptoms, increased transmission, vaccine requirements of children | |||
| • Young children are at higher risk of complications arising from influenza infection | |||
| Government of Quebec: Quebec Pandemic Influenza Plan—Health Mission | 2006 | • Children not specifically mentioned | • Psychosocial services mentioned-identification of vulnerable patient group (families are mentioned here) |
| • Need for school closures as a means of infection control | • Role of psychosocial worker | ||
| • Tailoring services to situation | |||
| • Providing advice for partners and the population | |||
| Government of Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Health: Public Pandemic Influenza Plan | March 2006 | • Vaccines provided to children 2–18 years of age—a priority group | Not mentioned |
| • Close schools and other public functions to increase social distance | |||
| Government of Yukon Territories: Yukon Press Release, July 23, 2009 (No plan available on website) | No plan available | • News release notes issues surrounding H1N1 (nothing specific to children and families noted in the press release) | Not mentioned |
| Public Health Agency of Canada: The Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan for the Health Sector | December 2006 | • School and daycare closures | • Recognized need for child care, emotional support and grief counselling to maintain staffing levels at health care facilities |
| • Longer isolation for young children (up to 7 days) compared to adults (3–5 days) | • Annex O identifies need for Emergency Social Services Planning, e.g. care for vulnerable populations such as unattended children | ||
| • Children given priority for assessment and treatment | |||
| • Highest rates of infection and clinical illness occur in children | |||
| • Vaccination of children 6–23 months given priority | |||
| • Children not priority for antiviral meds | |||
| • Portion of the stockpile of antivirals available for young children who cannot swallow capsules | |||
| • Management of Pandemic Flu guidelines in Annex F for child care and school settings | |||
| • Annex G has specific guidelines on clinical care for children with influenza | |||
| • Annex M focuses on the need for public education, especially for staff at daycare centres, school boards | |||