HHS announces pandemic flu grants

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is offering another $75 million in one-time pandemic flu response planning grants to the health care community in all 50 states‚ US territories‚and large metropolitan areas.

The monies can be used to:

*Establish or enhance stockpiles of essential medical equipment and supplies
*Continue development of plans for maintenance, distribution, and sharing of these resources
*Plan for and develop alternate pandemic care sites
*Conduct medical surge exercises

The grants supplement the $430 million HHS made available earlier in the year to bolster the emergency response planning capabilities of the nation’s hospitals and other health care facilities. A listing of the amounts for each area is available at www.hhs.gov/news/press/2007pres/08/pr20070830a.html.