More Than 17 Million Flu Vaccine Doses Shipped In Past Six Weeks

 Nov-Dec, 2004

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced 17.2 million influenza vaccine doses have been shipped in the last six weeks to health providers serving high-priority groups as part of the program to reallocate the vaccine to those areas and people who need it most. The Secretary also said that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has nearly completed its examination of vaccines from foreign manufacturers.

 "Working together, our public health community has done an outstanding job of directing the vaccine to those who need it most," Secretary Thompson said. "I commend those healthy individuals who are not in high priority groups for stepping aside in a true spirit of cooperation to help keep vulnerable Americans healthy this year."

This shipment is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC)) and Aventis Pasteur's plan to ensure vaccine is getting shipped to groups serving high-priority populations. Those groups include the Department of Defense, the Veteran's Administration, long term and acute care hospitals, private physicians who care for high priority populations, Vaccine for Children Program participants, and the Indian Health
Service.

Early indications show the allocation plan is working, with vaccine going to those who need it most. An initial survey conducted recently by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and CDC indicates a high demand for vaccine still exists in some areas, but a few states report a small amount of vaccine in excess of their needs. Plans
are underway to reapportion this small amount of vaccine to other states. ASTHO and CDC plan on conducting a follow up survey to further assess the situation in early December.

In addition, several million more doses of vaccine are scheduled to be shipped each week through early December. Influenza usually peaks sometime between December and March so it's not too late for those who need a vaccine to receive one. Although influenza activity is difficult to predict, early reports indicate that this year's season is off to a slower start
compared to last year. Thirty-two states have reported influenza activity to CDC thus far, which is well within the range of activity that might be expected for this time of year.

CDC encourages those in high-priority groups to continue to check with their local health official about availability of vaccine. Individuals who are having difficulty finding vaccine or who want additional information on influenza can call CDC's hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO. The high-priority groups include:

•  All children aged 6-23 months. 

• Adults aged 65 years and older.

• People aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions.

• All women who will be pregnant during influenza season.

• Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

• Children 6 months to 18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy.

• Health-care workers with direct patient care.

• Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged < 6 months.

Finally, everyone can take practical steps to help prevent spread of flu, including:

•  Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 

• Keep your distance from others if you are sick.

• When possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick,
  and don't send your children to child care or school if they are sick. 

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. 

• Clean your hands often.

For more information about the flu, visit the CDC Web site: www.cdc.gov/flu
<http://www.cdc.gov/flu>.