AMA-CDC summit leads quest to restore trust in flu shot system

After another difficult season, a key challenge is to keep physicians involved.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Feb. 13, 2006.

Atlanta -- Eric B. Einstein, MD, an internist from Georgetown, Conn., is trying to craft an influenza vaccine ordering strategy. Should he place his order for 1,500 doses with one company? Should he hedge his bets and split it between two or more? Or should he give up on it completely?

"This has been a major distraction and headache for months between the time spent trying to arrange delivery and explaining things to patients," he said. "I've honestly toyed with not offering it. I'd hate to do that."

Dr. Einstein's situation is an example of one of the many challenges facing those working to stabilize the influenza vaccine supply.

The 2005-06 season has been characterized by high expectations and predictions from public health officials that supplies would be ample. In reality, many physicians did not receive many doses, if they received any at all. Chiron Corp., most often the source of shots for many doctors' offices, did not produce as much vaccine as expected, and what it did produce was shipped late. This difficulty came on the heels of several rough seasons. Thus, although belief in the flu vaccine as a vital medical service is high, confidence in the system that gets vaccines to those who need it is not.

This issue is one of many that had stakeholders at last month's National Influenza Vaccine Summit worried about the future participation of various players, especially physicians, in the distribution chain.

"There's a concern that the challenges in terms of supply and distribution are generating a lack of trust among the physician community as well as the public," said AMA Chair-elect Cecil B. Wilson, MD. "They expect a flu shot to be there, and it's not."