For More Information CMA Survey of Physicians finds 75% Still Don't Have Flu Vaccines for All Patients, 54% Haven't Received Any [Posted 11/17/05] Flu Season’s Around the Corner: It’s Almost Time to Vaccinate Your High-Risk Patients [Posted 09/29/05] CMS Immunization Rule Will Bolster Nursing Home Protections Against Flu [Posted 10/13/05]

CMA recently met with major flu vaccine manufacturers and distributors to discuss this year’s distribution problems and what can be done in the future to prevent similar failures. CMA in November surveyed its members and found that 75 percent of responding physicians had not received their full vaccine supply by November 3. Fifty-four percent of physicians reported that they had not received any vaccine at all, even though “large box” retailers, including pharmacies and grocery stores, had been dispensing shots since early fall.

Faced with data from CMA’s flu survey, the manufacturers and distributors have agreed to work with CMA to help ensure that physicians get their vaccine supply in time to vaccinate their high-risk patients early in the flu season. CMA is also working with AMA and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention on this issue.

It’s Not Too Late to Vaccinate!
CMA encourages physicians to continue vaccinating all patients into January and February, as the flu season often peaks in late winter.

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