According to manufacturer estimates, more influenza vaccine should be available this year
than
ever before.
Influenza vaccine manufacturers report they expect to produce more than 100 million doses of influenza vaccine this year. This amount is at least 17 million more doses of influenza vaccine than have been distributed in any past season (83.1 million in 2003) and about 19 million more doses than were distributed last year (81.2 million). If vaccine produced in Canada is licensed for distribution in the U.S., there may be more than 110 million doses of influenza vaccine produced and distributed this season.
According to information from manu-facturers, about 75 million doses will be distributed by the end of October. This amount is about 15 million more doses than were distributed by the end of October 2005.
Based on the information provided to CDC, it is expected that a significant amount of influenza vaccine should be available in physicians’ offices and communities during October to allow providers to begin vaccinating people against influenza.
Early in the season, some providers may appear to have more influenza vaccine than others because there are multiple manufacturers, distributors, and distribution channels – each of which has different distribution plans and schedules. Some healthcare providers may not have their full allotment of vaccine until November or later, depending upon from which manufacturer or distributor an individual provider ordered vaccine and when they ordered it. With the manufacturers and major distributors implementing policies designed to facilitate delivery of some influenza vaccine by the end of October to all providers who ordered it, providers should have some vaccine in October to begin vaccinating their patients.
As typically happens with influenza vaccine, distribution and shipments can take place beyond October. Influenza vaccine shipments can continue throughout November and December.
CDC's communication and education efforts this season will encourage anyone who wants to be protected against influenza to seek vaccination, especially all people at increased risk for influenza-related complications as well as those who live with or care for people at high risk. We will also address the misperception that it is too late to be vaccinated against influenza in December. While getting vaccinated in October and November is best, vaccine should continue to be sought and encouraged to be administered in December and January. During most years, influenza doesn’t peak until February or later and many people recommended to get the vaccine have not done so by the end of November. Influenza vaccine should continue to be offered throughout the influenza season even after influenza activity has been documented in a community.
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