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Over 4.2 million flu vaccines shipped to healthcare providers

Emergency Management Alert, November 9, 2004

The 4.2 million influenza vaccine doses shipped last week to healthcare providers are intended for high-priority groups. After the October vaccine shortage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and vaccine manufacturer, Aventis Pasteur planned to release another batch of doses.

"We are and will continue to take all the steps possible to get vaccine out in an equitable way to those who need it most," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding. "The spirit of cooperation we are seeing by Aventis Pasteur, state and local health officials, clinicians, hospitals, and the public is extraordinary and is what will help deal with this challenging situation."

The CDC will ship approximately 16.5 million remaining doses of vaccine through early December. About 2.6 million doses of the Aventis Pasteur vaccine will be available for shipment in early January 2005.

The CDC announced priority groups for vaccination for the 2004-2005 influenza include:
* All children aged 6-23 months
* Adults aged 65 years and older
* Persons 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-18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy
* Healthcare workers with direct patient care
* Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged less than 6 months.

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