Flu vaccination most successful in 3 years

But doctors and public health officials are concerned about vaccine coverage rates, one maker's exit from the market and rising costs.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Feb. 10, 2003.

For physicians and public health officials, the 2002-03 winter has seemed like a dream come true.

After two bruising flu vaccine seasons, the glitches finally seem a thing of the past. This time, the flu shots were ordered and arrived on time, even though the price was generally higher. The September trickle of doses turned into an October and November flood. Patients lined up for shots, and there was lots of vaccine to go around -- 95 million doses total.

"It's just as exciting as can be," said Ronald Bangasser, MD, director of external affairs at Beaver Medical Group in Redlands, Calif.

Although this was one of the most successful vaccination seasons in recent memory, concerns persist about the long-term implications of the shortages and delays of the previous two seasons, when coverage rates dipped by as much as 13% for some target groups.

New data on coverage rates for the previous quarter are not available yet, but anecdotal evidence is mixed. Some physicians and other vaccine providers report record demand. Dr. Bangasser, who is also president-elect of the California Medical Assn., expects to provide nearly 30,000 vaccinations before he's done -- a 50% increase over last year.

Others, though, say the demand has softened -- that patients are now out of the habit. Workplace clinics have reached fewer people in part because in these trying economic times, companies have fewer workers and are picking up less of the tab. No shortage, combined with significant media attention on smallpox, also means that flu is making fewer appearances in the consumer media.