Flu Vaccine Update: Production Is On Schedule
[Posted 10/20/05]

A number of physicians have expressed to CMA frustration that they have not yet received their preordered flu vaccine. Flu vaccine is manufactured in lots and the vaccine will be distributed as soon as the lots are released.

Health officials are still projecting that this season’s influenza vaccine supply will be adequate, with more than 80 million doses expected to be available.

Influenza vaccine cannot be produced so that the entire supply is available and shipped at the same time. Produced in lots, vaccine begins to become available in late summer, and production and distribution often continue into December and January. All four of the U.S.-licensed influenza vaccine manufacturers are producing and distributing their influenza vaccine on different timetables.

All four flu vaccine manufacturers have had vaccine lots released for distribution by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Typically, once the FDA releases a lot, the manufacturer begins shipping vaccine from that lot in one to two weeks. (Click here for the latest information on influenza vaccine lot releases.)

In August and September, approximately 28 million doses of influenza vaccine were distributed. By the end of October approximately 57 million doses will have been distributed nationally, and by the end of November more than 80 million doses are expected to have been distributed.

Physicians who have already received their vaccine are reminded that the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention are asking physicians to first vaccinate their high-risk patients, including Hurricane Katrina survivors living in shelters. CDC officials have asked physicians to wait until October 24 to vaccinate their healthy patients.

Patients of all ages with conditions that put them at an increased risk of influenza-related complications, and those over age 65, are considered high risk. Family members, caregivers, and other people in close contact with high-risk individuals should also be vaccinated to reduce the odds of passing influenza to someone for whom it can be life threatening.

Contact: Robin Flagg, 415/882-5110 or rflagg@cmanet.org.