More than 100 million doses of flu vaccine will be available this season, with 75 million of those doses expected to be in physicians’ offices and clinics by the end of October, according to federal health officials. This year’s expected total is 17 million doses more than the previous high of 83 million doses in 2003 and 19 million more than the 81 million produced last season.

CMA has been working with major flu vaccine manufacturers and distributors to prevent a repeat of last year’s distribution problems. As a result, manufacturers and distributors are implementing new distribution policies and this year all physicians who ordered vaccine should receive at least some of their order in October so they can start vaccinating patients immediately. Health officials also say that there is no need to prioritize the vaccine, as has been required in previous years. Manufacturers have already begun to ship this season’s influenza vaccine and expect the rest of the supply to be shipped and distributed by Thanksgiving.

“As we’ve learned in the past few years, there is always some uncertainty regarding influenza vaccine supplies and distribution,” said Julie Gerberding, M.D., director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a written statement. “It’s often very difficult to predict how much vaccine will be distributed and when, or exactly when influenza vaccine will be available for those who provide it. However, if the manufacturers’ estimates hold, more people than ever before will be able to protect themselves and their loved ones from influenza this year.”

Health officials also expanded recommendations for who should receive flu vaccinations this year. In addition to individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications — including health care providers, children between 6 months and 5 years of age, and people with chronic diseases — health officials this year are recommending vaccination of all healthy adults 50 and older. In some previous years, the recommendation for vaccinating healthy adults was set at age 65 and older because of shortages.

Physicians can still order vaccine. Doses are available from all manufacturers except Sanofi.

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