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CDC to stockpile flu vaccine for children

Infection Control Monitor, April 15, 2004

The federal government announced plans to stockpile flu vaccine for children to avoid the shortages that health officials ran into this winter, the Associated Press reports.

About 4 million doses will be set aside for children up to 18 years old. The supply will cost the government about $80 million over the next two years. Adults may be allowed to use the supply only during a crisis, if Congress approves.

After a particularly rough start to the most recent flu season in late November, parents rushed to get their children vaccinated. Demand soon surpassed the supply of vaccine, with most state health departments and physician running out of flu shots.

This season, 143 children died of the flu, which is about average, the CDC said.

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