Distribution gaps appear in flu shot supply

Those involved in dispensing vaccine are taking pains to explain the system's complexities to physicians.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Nov. 6, 2006.

More influenza vaccine will be manufactured this season than ever before, but public health officials are warning that this circumstance does not mean that everyone will have all that they need all at once.

"Given the number of manufacturing plants ... and the large number of doses currently being produced each year, it isn't possible to complete the production and distribution process prior to the vaccination season," said Jeanne Santoli, MD, MPH, deputy director of the Immunization Services Division in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. "This means that influenza vaccine distribution takes place in a phased fashion over a number of months."

Public health officials have been talking about this season's projected ample supplies with great anticipation. As many as 115 million doses are expected before the season is through. As of mid-October, about 40 million already had left manufacturers' hands -- making more doses available early this season than in prior years. Officials say prioritizing who gets vaccine first is not necessary. Manufacturers also are sending out partial shipments to make it more likely that those who provide immunizations receive some of their vaccine orders.