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Flu Vaccine Delayed for 2001-2002

© Neal Rolfe Chamberlain

Last year the influenza (flu) vaccine was delayed due to some production problems. By December of 2001 there should be 77.1 million doses available for people wanting the vaccine in the United States. Unfortunately, the best time to give the vaccine to prevent flu infections is in October.

There will only be 49.8 million doses available by the end of October 2001. This 27.3 million-dose shortfall appears to be due to the fact that companies are deciding not to produce vaccines. In 1999, four U.S. manufacturers were licensed to make influenza vaccine; today there are only three. The remaining companies are having difficulty preparing enough vaccine to immunize everyone.

This is a problem. Many companies do not make vaccines because of the large number of lawsuits vaccine producers must defend themselves against. More than 90 percent of the flu vaccine doses comes from private companies. Complications can occur and side-effects can sometimes be very nasty. However, if we as a people litigate companies out of the business of making vaccines many, many more people will be damaged and will die. I don't know what the best answer for this problem is.

In the meantime, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the US Center for Disease Control has developed supplemental recommendations concerning who should get the vaccine and when they should get it. Below are the recommendations. If you have a chronic disease or a condition that makes you more likely to have complications from an influenza virus infection please get the vaccine early (early October).

• Persons at high risk for complications from influenza, including those 65 years of age and older and those aged less than 65 years who have underlying chronic illnesses* should seek vaccination from their provider when vaccine is available. The optimal vaccination period is October through November but may include September if vaccine is available. Unvaccinated high-risk persons should continue to seek vaccine later in the season.
• Persons who are not at high risk for complications from influenza, including household contacts of high-risk persons, are encouraged to seek influenza vaccine in November and later. Persons who are unsure of their risk status should consult their provider to determine whether they should receive vaccine earlier and, if so, whether vaccine will be available. When additional vaccine is available, providers are encouraged to send a reminder to persons deferred from vaccination.

*People with the following chronic diseases and/or conditions should get the flu vaccine early (early October 2001): adults and children with chronic disorders of the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems, including asthma; adults and children who required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including