With vaccine plentiful, doctors urged to push flu shots

Administering influenza shots during the holiday season and beyond is critical to making use of this year's record-breaking supply.

By Stephanie Stapleton, AMNews staff. Dec. 4, 2006.

So far, 77 million doses of influenza vaccine have been distributed, and supplies are expected to reach an all-time high, said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials speaking at a Nov. 13 briefing.

To date, manufacturers report to the agency that this year's total ultimately should tally between 110 million and 115 million doses -- at least 27 million more than were distributed in any past season and between 29 million and 34 million more than were available last year.

Doses will continue to reach physicians' offices and other vaccine outlets in the days and weeks ahead, the CDC said.

And to spur vaccination as the flu season progresses, the CDC designated the week after Thanksgiving --Nov. 27 to Dec. 3 -- as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

"National interest in getting a flu vaccination has traditionally tapered off after Thanksgiving," said CDC Director Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH. "Since flu activity typically does not peak until February or later, November and December are also good times to be vaccinated."

The agency hopes that physicians and others offering vaccine will mark this event by scheduling additional clinics and extending clinic hours. The CDC also is optimistic that since the vaccine week is occurring after Thanksgiving, this event will mean a larger role for mass vaccination at places such as retail locations.

"The good news is that plenty of vaccine will be out there," Dr. Gerberding said.