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medpundit |
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Wednesday, October 12, 2005Since last fall, when a nationwide vaccine shortage triggered panic and led to flu-shot rationing, federal officials have been working to stabilize the nation's vaccine supply. But as this year's flu season gets under way, some physicians and local health departments are once again reporting that they haven't received enough vaccine. A survey conducted last week by the National Association of County and City Health Officials turned up vaccine-supply concerns in all 50 states. In western Connecticut, officials have canceled a dozen flu-shot sessions scheduled for October because of inadequate supplies. In Pennsylvania, family physicians are still waiting for flu-shot orders placed in April to arrive. In Milwaukee, the health department says it doesn't have enough vaccine available to inoculate the city's homebound elderly population, for which the flu is particularly dangerous. Some local public-health officials are also concerned that large private companies may be getting priority in the vaccine-distribution process. Many of the nation's larger providers of flu shots, such as Maxim Health Systems, which runs flu-shot clinics in retail stores and offices, say their supplies are adequate to begin running clinics. Flu-shot clinics have already launched in dozens of retail chains around the country, such as Walgreens, Safeway and CVS. Yep. The drug stores around here are offering their clinics, but doctors are having trouble getting it, too. Those who pre-ordered don't know when they'll be getting their doses. If there is a flu pandemic, the weakest point in the response will be the vaccine distribution. The CDC never seems to know what's going on with the nation's vaccine supply, and the vaccine manufacturer's are often less than forthcoming about the status of their supplies - and their distribution policies. posted by Sydney on 10/12/2005 01:21:00 PM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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