Doctors wary about flu vaccine deliveries

Supplies are supposed to be plentiful, but after several rough seasons, physicians are dubious.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Oct. 9, 2006.

This year, Chuck Hofmann, MD, an internist in Baker City, Ore., is doing everything he can to ensure that he gets flu vaccine for his practice. After a few rough seasons when vaccine arrived late if at all, he's placed orders with several different companies, and he calls every week to track the progress.

"They all say it will come, but we will believe it when we see it," he said.

Influenza vaccine is supposed to be plentiful this year, but, like many others, Dr. Hofmann is still smarting from the supply disruptions of recent memory. This time around he's keeping his fingers crossed.

"We have not received anything yet, and they're not telling us when it's going to come," said Randy Rice, MD, a family physician in Moose Lake, Minn. "It makes me a little leery about what's going to happen."

On one hand, the big picture looks rosy. All manufacturers have been given the nod by the Food and Drug Administration, and, according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 75 million doses should be distributed before the end of October. Another 25 million or possibly more will be available in November and December.

If production goes as expected, there may be more vaccine available before the end of October than in six out of the past seven seasons. Overall, more doses could be produced than ever before.

On the other hand, as of mid-September, many physicians did not yet have supplies. Quite a few had been told when to expect them, but many had not. To be fair, it is still early. The bulk of supplies are expected to be available this month.