Myth: Because of stockpiles of N95 respirators, we are prepared for pandemic influenza for an indefinite amount of time.

Fact: Stockpiles, though they do exist around the county and they are available for use when in times of need, are not an infinite supply. In fact, there is not nearly enough in the stockpiles to cover the predicted need for an extended outbreak. Reasons for this include:

They may be stored in areas where the pandemic outbreak is not as severe.

They may not properly fit those who need to wear the respirators - meaning that the models provided in the stockpile might not be models that fit properly to the user's face, which is determined during a fit test.

There are expiration dates on the respirators and those dates maybe expire before the next pandemic. Therefore, those respirators will need to be replaced.