Pandemic Preparedness: Are We Truly Ready?

We’ve already lived through one global pandemic. But public health experts are clear — the next one is not a question of if, but when.

While COVID-19 no longer dominates daily headlines, it hasn’t disappeared. According to the latest Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report, COVID-19 has remained the leading cause of acute respiratory infection mortality across 2023–2025. The data also shows influenza deaths surpassed COVID-19 deaths during parts of 2025 — a reminder that respiratory viruses continue to circulate, evolve and impact older Australians most severely.

Laboratory data shows SARS-CoV-2 is still active, with new sub-lineages emerging in Australia. At the same time, vaccine uptake has declined, with only 10.3% of adults receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in the past year.

And while survival rates have improved, the long-term effects remain a concern for a lot of people. Many Australians continue to experience persistent symptoms after infection — what’s now widely recognised as long COVID — affecting energy levels, respiratory health and overall wellbeing long after the initial illness has passed. Read the details in our article on long COVID and its ongoing impact here.

The reality is clear: respiratory viruses haven’t gone away. New variants continue to emerge. Vaccine research is advancing. But early preparedness — especially in the first critical months of an outbreak — remains one of the most powerful tools we have.

So the question isn’t whether another pandemic could happen.

The real question is: are we better prepared this time?

Why experts are warning about the ‘Next One’

Coronaviruses have already shown their ability to jump from animals to humans and spread rapidly. SARS emerged in 2003. MERS followed in 2012. Then COVID-19 reshaped the world in 2020. 

Recent modelling research funded by CEPI and published in Nature Communications suggests that broadly protective, “all-in-one” coronavirus vaccines could significantly reduce deaths and ease pressure on health systems if developed and stockpiled before an outbreak occurs. Rather than responding virus by virus, scientists are now working toward vaccines designed to protect against multiple coronavirus strains at once.

To support this effort, the Coronavirus Vaccines R&D Roadmap Initiative — led by CIDRAP in partnership with CEPI — was launched to coordinate research, identify gaps, and accelerate development of next-generation vaccines. The goal is simple: shorten the time between outbreak detection and protection.

But here’s the key point.

Even with promising vaccine research underway, development, manufacturing and distribution still take time. The earliest months of an outbreak remain the most critical — especially for older Australians and those in aged care settings, where respiratory infections are more likely to cause severe illness.

Why the first 100 days matter most

When a new virus emerges, the first 100 days can determine the scale of its impact.

During COVID-19, we saw how quickly cases escalated before vaccines were available. Even with unprecedented global collaboration, vaccine development and rollout still took months. Manufacturing, regulatory approvals and distribution all require time — especially at scale.

That gap between detection and protection is where the greatest risk lies.

In the early phase of an outbreak, communities rely on layered protection strategies to slow transmission. This includes rapid identification of cases, effective respiratory protection, strong infection control practices and clear isolation protocols.  These early measures are what prevent health systems from becoming overwhelmed.

For aged care, healthcare facilities and community services, early intervention is especially critical. Respiratory infections disproportionately affect older Australians and vulnerable populations. Delays of even a few weeks can significantly increase transmission risk.

The lesson from recent years is clear: preparedness isn’t about reacting once hospitals are overwhelmed. It’s about having the systems, training and supplies ready before they are urgently needed.

Because once an outbreak accelerates, catching up becomes far harder than staying ahead.

What layered protection looks like in practice

When experts talk about “layered protection,” they mean using multiple safeguards together — because no single measure is enough on its own. In the early stages of an outbreak, these layers work together to slow spread while broader public health responses are mobilised.

1. Respiratory protection

P2 respirators are designed to filter at least 94% of airborne particles, including fine respiratory aerosols that can carry viruses. Similarly, N95 respirators — commonly used in the United States — filter at least 95% of airborne particles. Both are tight-fitting respirators intended to form a seal around the nose and mouth.

While P2 and N95 respirators are certified under different standards (P2 under Australian/New Zealand standards and N95 under US NIOSH standards), their level of filtration performance is broadly comparable when properly fitted and used correctly. 

In Australian workplaces, particularly in healthcare and aged care, P2 respirators are typically recommended as they align with local safety standards and Work Health and Safety (WHS) guidance.

Unlike loose-fitting surgical or cloth masks, these respirators are designed to reduce inhalation of airborne particles — which is especially important in high-risk or close-contact environments.

Read related article: Comparing Mask Types: Uses, Effectiveness & Regulatory Compliance

Why it matters:

Many respiratory viruses, including coronaviruses, spread through fine airborne particles — particularly in indoor or poorly ventilated spaces. In healthcare and aged care environments, close contact is often unavoidable.

How it helps:

When a respirator is properly fitted, it reduces inhalation of infectious particles. Fit testing ensures the respirator forms an effective seal on the wearer’s face. Even small leaks can significantly reduce protection. In high-risk settings, ensuring staff are fit tested before an outbreak occurs allows immediate activation of higher-level protection if needed.

2. Rapid antigen testing for early detection

Rapid antigen tests (RATs) detect specific viral proteins, providing results within minutes rather than days.

Why it matters:

Viruses often spread before symptoms become severe. In some cases, individuals may be infectious before realising they are unwell.

Read related article: Is it Flu or COVID? How to Know the Symptoms

How it helps:

Routine or targeted rapid testing allows organisations to quickly identify infectious individuals and implement isolation protocols. This early detection can break transmission chains before they expand into facility-wide outbreaks — particularly in aged care or shared living environments.

Testing doesn’t eliminate risk — but it dramatically improves response speed.

3. Environmental cleaning & disinfection

What it is:

Disinfection involves using approved chemical solutions, especially hospital-grade ones, to inactivate viruses on surfaces. High-touch areas — such as door handles, handrails, shared equipment and bathrooms — are common transmission points.

Why it matters:

While airborne spread is significant, contaminated surfaces can still contribute to viral transmission, particularly in busy facilities.

How it helps:

Structured cleaning protocols using appropriate disinfectant solutions reduce environmental viral load. During early outbreak stages, increasing cleaning frequency and focusing on high-touch zones can reduce the likelihood of indirect spread between staff, residents and visitors.

Consistent infection control practices also reinforce overall outbreak readiness.

4. Accessible infection control supplies

What it is:

Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, face shields, eye protection and hand hygiene products form the foundation of standard and transmission-based precautions.

Why it matters:

During COVID-19, supply shortages created significant vulnerability. Delays in accessing protective equipment can delay response.

How it helps:

Maintaining adequate stock levels — with proper storage and expiry monitoring — ensures facilities can escalate protection immediately. When staff are trained and supplies are readily available, response transitions are faster and more controlled.

What aged care and healthcare facilities should be doing now

Preparedness does not start when an outbreak is declared.

It starts long before.

For aged care and healthcare facilities, the goal is not to predict the next virus — it is to strengthen systems so they can respond quickly to any respiratory threat.

1. Review and update infection control plans

Outbreak response plans should be reviewed regularly — not stored away after the last emergency.

Facilities should ensure:

• Clear isolation protocols are documented
  

• Staff know escalation procedures
  

• Visitor policies can be adjusted quickly if required
  

• Cleaning schedules can increase immediately during heightened risk

2. Ensure respiratory protection is ready — and fit tested

Having respirators in storage is not the same as being prepared.

Facilities should:

• Confirm P2 respirator stock levels
  

• Monitor expiry dates
  

• Conduct regular fit testing for staff
  

• Train staff on correct donning and doffing procedures

Aussie Pharma Direct offers an accredited respiratory fit testing service for workplaces. See more information here. 

3. Maintain a rapid testing strategy

Early detection prevents wider spread.

Facilities should consider:

• Keeping an appropriate supply of rapid antigen tests
  

• Having clear testing protocols for staff and residents
  

• Knowing when to escalate to PCR or clinical review

4. Strengthen cleaning and disinfection protocols

Environmental hygiene remains a core defence layer.

Facilities should:

• Review disinfectant suitability and compliance
  

• Identify high-touch areas
  

• Ensure cleaning staff are trained in outbreak-level protocols
  

• Rotate stock to prevent expiry issues

Routine discipline makes surge response smoother.

5. Monitor stock levels and supply chains

One of the biggest lessons from COVID-19 was supply vulnerability.

Facilities should:

• Maintain minimum stock thresholds
  

• Implement stock rotation systems
  

• Avoid holding expired or unusable inventory
  

• Establish reliable suppliers before urgent demand arises

6. Prioritise staff training and communication

Even the best supplies are ineffective without proper use.

Regular refreshers on:

• PPE use
  

• Respirator seal checks
  

• Hand hygiene
  

• Outbreak reporting procedures

Read related article: Common PPE Mistakes in Healthcare & Aged Care — and How to Prevent Them

Conclusion: Preparedness is not panic — it’s responsibility

The world has already experienced how quickly a virus can move from isolated cases to global disruption.

Research into next-generation coronavirus vaccines is promising and global collaboration is stronger than ever, with surveillance systems being more advanced. 

But science also tells us something else: the early phase of an outbreak is when outcomes are shaped.

In those first critical weeks and months, vaccines would still be in development, and supply chains would be adjusting. And that is when practical, layered protection makes the greatest difference.

For aged care, healthcare and community services, preparedness is not about expecting the worst. It is about protecting the most vulnerable. It is about ensuring systems, staff and supplies are ready to respond calmly and effectively.

Respiratory threats will continue to emerge and variants will continue to evolve. But organisations that review their plans, maintain appropriate stock, ensure proper respirator fit testing, and strengthen infection control practices are not simply reacting to risk — they are managing it.

The next pandemic may not look exactly like the last.

The real advantage lies in being ready before it begins.

 

Stay Ahead of the Next Respiratory Threat. Here are the Essentials to Stock Up

P2, N95 and FFP2 Respirators

Our collection of P2, N95 and FFP2 respirators features trusted brands known for quality, performance, and compliance. Alongside Australian-made AMD respirators, we also stock leading brands such as 3M and Detmold, with options suited to workplace, healthcare, and everyday use.

From $18.18

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Rapid Antigen Tests

Early detection plays a critical role in the first stages of any outbreak. Rapid antigen tests provide fast, accessible screening that can help identify infectious cases sooner — supporting quicker isolation and response measures. Keeping reliable testing supplies on hand allows you to act early, reduce transmission risk, and protect vulnerable individuals when timing matters most.

From $2.20

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PPE and Safety Gears

Layered protection begins with the right equipment. Our PPE and safety range includes respiratory protection, gloves, gowns, eye protection and other essential infection control supplies designed to support safer environments. Having appropriate, quality-assured PPE ready before it’s urgently needed helps healthcare, aged care and community settings respond confidently during heightened respiratory risk.

From $2.20

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