Pediatric Pandemic Network

Pediatric Pandemic Network logoSeattle Children’s is the Pacific Northwest hub for the Pediatric Pandemic Network

As one of 14 children’s hospital hubs in the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN), Seattle Children’s collaborates with hospitals and communities across the Pacific Northwest to coordinate, prepare and enable high-quality, equitable, research-informed pediatric care in emergencies, disasters and pandemics. We offer timely alerts, community resources and onsite emergency preparedness outreach to hospitals, clinics, providers and families.

The PPN aims to empower health care systems and communities to provide high-quality, equitable care to children every day and in crises. Their work spans many different areas, including emergency preparedness, infectious diseases, mental health, improved health outcomes, community engagement and more.

Current Alerts

What you need to know about measles

We are on track to have the highest number of measles cases in the U.S. since 1992. There have been 44 separate outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) and 3 deaths in the U.S. so far this year. 92% of cases were unvaccinated or of unknown vaccine status. Due to underreporting, the true number is likely higher.  At our current vaccination rate, measles will become endemic in the US. See the CDC Measles site for more information.

Vaccination is the best protection.

  • Infants (6–11 months) who are traveling internationally—or within the U.S. to an area with an outbreak—can get an early dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.
  • Children (12 months and older) traveling internationally can get their second MMR dose at least 28 days after the first.

For families

Talk with your child’s healthcare provider about their MMR vaccination schedule, especially if you have travel plans.

For healthcare providers

If you need to refer a patient to Seattle Children’s for evaluation or treatment for measles, please call Mission Control at 206-987-8899 before sending the patient. Our team will help arrange care in a way that keeps everyone safe.

Resources

For Healthcare Providers

For Families

Staying Healthy During Respiratory Virus Season

Many respiratory viruses spread more easily during the fall and winter months. Some of the most common are influenza (flu), RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and COVID-19. These illnesses can cause similar symptoms, like sore throat, tiredness, cough, and headache. Young children — especially babies and those with health conditions — are more likely to have complications.

Tips for staying healthy

  • Keep vaccines up to date: This includes seasonal vaccines for COVID-19 and flu, the RSV preventive antibody for infants or RSV vaccine for pregnant women, and the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine.
  • Wash hands often: Use soap and warm water, and wash for at least 20 seconds.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes: Use a tissue when you can, or cough/sneeze into your elbow instead of your hands.
  • Clean surfaces regularly: Wipe down doorknobs, handrails, countertops, and other surfaces your family touches a lot.
  • Think about masks: Wearing a mask can give extra protection during times when viruses are spreading more.
  • Stay home when sick: If you or your child are feeling unwell, stay home to prevent spreading illness to others.

Resources

For Healthcare Providers

For Families

Our Work and Additional Resources

Seattle Children’s offers a collection of curated resources to update and assist providers and families. These resources have been issued by the PPN, the Washington State Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control.

Infectious diseases

Measles

For providers
For families

H5N1 Influenza

Mpox

Mosquito-borne diseases

Weather-related resources

Mental and behavioral health

Civil unrest 

Emergency preparedness

For providers

For families

Our Team

Danielle ZerrDanielle Zerr

Danielle Zerr, MD, MPH, is Principal Investigator for the PPN at Seattle Children’s. She also helps lead the Infectious Disease Domain and the Analytic Support Core within the PPN. At Seattle Children’s she is the Division Head for Pediatric Infectious Diseases and the Medical Director for Infection Prevention.

Seattle Children's logo in grayscaleAmanda Adler

Amanda Adler is the manager of the PPN at Seattle Children's. She also manages the Analytic Support Core within the PPN. At Seattle Children's she manages Dr. Zerr's research program within the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

Briana EnriquezBriana Enriquez

Brianna Enriquez, MD, is a member of the Disaster Management Domain within the PPN. At Seattle Children's, she is a pediatric emergency medicine physician and is the Seattle Children’s Medical Director of Emergency Management.

Rachel UmorenRachel Umoren

Rachel Umoren, MD, MS, co-leads the Telehealth Domain within the PPN. At Seattle Children’s she is the Associate Division Head for Research within the Division of Neonatology, Director of Research for the Neonatal Education and Simulation-based Training (NEST) program, and the Inpatient Medical Director for Telehealth.

Ian KodishIan Kodish

Ian Kodish, MD, PhD, is a member of the PPN Mental and Behavioral Health domain, focused on improving acute psychiatric care, including via telemedicine. He also contributes to the Dissemination, Sustainability, & Policy workgroup and works to enhance firearm access screening in youth mental health crises. At Seattle Children’s, he serves as medical director for psychiatry consultation and emergency services and associate training director for the child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship.

Community Pediatric Readiness Team

The Seattle Children’s Community Pediatric Readiness team is a multidisciplinary ED care team supported by the Pediatric Pandemic Network that is passionate about ensuring children receive high-quality, evidence-based care throughout the region we serve.

Why focus on pediatric readiness?

  • 80% of pediatric ED care occurs in general EDs
  • Community EDs often have low pediatric patient volumes potentially leaving systems underprepared to care for children
  • High levels of Pediatric Readiness are associated with:
    • 60-76% lower mortality risk in children
    • 2,143 children’s lives saved across the U.S. each year
    • 3-FOLD reduction in racial and ethnic disparities in mortality

(Source: National Pediatric Readiness Project – National Pediatric Readiness Project • EIIC)

Our team utilizes the ImPACTS model to assess pediatric readiness using the Pediatric Readiness Survey (PRS) and simulation. We collaborate with community EDs to help identify pediatric champions in their setting and work with site leadership and frontline staff on the implementation of improvement strategies and measuring results. We facilitate simulations (on-site, virtual, and hybrid) and support educational and QI activities related to pediatric care and outcomes. There is no cost for EDs that wish to consult and collaborate with our team.

If you are interested in working with the Community Pediatric Readiness Team or want to learn more, contact [email protected].

Core team members: Ashley Keilman, MD, Christine Maloney, MD, Kendra Powell, RN, Jennifer Reid, MD and Neil Uspal, MD

Learn More

For more information about the PPN and our regional work, contact us.

Email: [email protected]