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September 30, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Flu Vaccine Is Plentiful This Season"

USA Today (www.usatoday.com) (09/30/02) P. 6D; Rubin, Rita

Carolyn Bridges, a medical epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) influenza branch, asserts that no influenza vaccine supply problems are anticipated for this year, because vaccine manufacturers are producing 94 million doses of the vaccine, with 75 million doses shipped to clinics and hospitals by the end of October.  Last year, 77 million doses of flu vaccine were produced; however, only 43 million were distributed by the end of October, and 10 million doses were not distributed because they were shipped out too late.  A USA TODAY/CNN poll found only 36 percent of 1,010 adults surveyed received the flu vaccine last year, and health officials are advising high-risk individuals, or those who live or work with people who are, to get their flu shots in early October, with health individuals being asked to wait until November.  The CDC will extend the promotion of the flu vaccine into December to help encourage more people to get the shot.

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