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Flu Vaccine Shortage Expected

Wed, 08/09/2000 - 11:00pm — Karen Stevenson
Description: 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned providers of an impending shortage of flu vaccine for the upcoming flu season. Influenza vaccine manufacturers have told FDA and CDC to expect delays in flu vaccine shipments and that it is possible there will be reductions of available influenza virus vaccine for the 2000-01 season. The FDA and CDC briefed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) about the current situation regarding influenza vaccine supply. The FDA and CDC stressed to the ACIP that the situation is very fluid and that health care providers should expect periodic updates from them through the summer and fall.

ACIP, in a consensus recommendation, urged health care providers to begin thinking now about delaying adult mass influenza vaccination campaigns to November (usually recommended for October through mid-November) based on supply availability, and to consider ways to ensure their high risk patients receive vaccination if a severe vaccine shortfall were to occur.

They stress that persons who normally receive influenza vaccine should not be concerned and should delay inquiries about flu vaccination until the fall, and also note that FDA, CDC and vaccine manufacturers are confident that vaccine will be available to vaccinate those at highest risk of complications from influenza, including those over 65, those who are immunosuppressed and others.

Federal health officials are studying whether it would be safe to stretch supplies by giving some healthy Americans half a dose, reserving full-strength vaccine for the elderly and ill who need it most. The study will be conducted at the University of Rochester, St. Louis University, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Maryland, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the University of California, Los Angeles.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned providers of an impending shortage of flu vaccine for the upcoming flu season. Influenza vaccine manufacturers have told FDA and CDC to expect delays in flu vaccine shipments and that it is possible there will be reductions of available influenza virus vaccine for the 2000-01 season. The FDA and CDC briefed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) about the current situation regarding influenza vaccine supply. The FDA and CDC stressed to the ACIP that the situation is very fluid and that health care providers should expect periodic updates from them through the summer and fall.

ACIP, in a consensus recommendation, urged health care providers to begin thinking now about delaying adult mass influenza vaccination campaigns to November (usually recommended for October through mid-November) based on supply availability, and to consider ways to ensure their high risk patients receive vaccination if a severe vaccine shortfall were to occur.

They stress that persons who normally receive influenza vaccine should not be concerned and should delay inquiries about flu vaccination until the fall, and also note that FDA, CDC and vaccine manufacturers are confident that vaccine will be available to vaccinate those at highest risk of complications from influenza, including those over 65, those who are immunosuppressed and others.

Federal health officials are studying whether it would be safe to stretch supplies by giving some healthy Americans half a dose, reserving full-strength vaccine for the elderly and ill who need it most. The study will be conducted at the University of Rochester, St. Louis University, Baylor College of Medicine, University of Maryland, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the University of California, Los Angeles.