The Lancet Infectious Disease
Oct 2009  Volume 9 Number 10 Pages 583 – 650
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/issue/current

Leading Edge
Pandemic influenza: the new wave
The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Preview
If the predictions of some experts come to pass, by the time you read this the next wave of pandemic influenza A H1N1 in the northern hemisphere will have begun. Indeed, Ira Longini (University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA), speaking at the recent Lancet conference on influenza (Beijing, China, August 21–23, 2009) suggested that the peak in cases of H1N1 influenza may have passed by the time that sufficient vaccine is available to reduce the number of people who become ill. Such a scenario rather begs the question of the value of an immunisation programme.