Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Influenza Vaccine Shortage of 2004

U.S. Faces Flu Vaccine Shortage by Melissa Block of NPR

  • One of the main vaccine suppliers to the U.S., The Chiron Corp., lost their license due to manufacturing problems right before flu season started.
  • The CDC urged people NOT to get flu vaccines in order to save supplies for those who truly needed it; babies, the sick, health care works, pregnant women and the elderly.
  • The CDC held 8 million vaccines for use once flu season began and those at highest risk of dying from it became apparent.
  • The federal government only has control over vaccine contracts in government owed hospitals.
  • State laws determine local distribution of vaccines.
  • The U.S. was not able to get their shipment of 48 million vaccines.

HEALTH; The Sick, in a Flu Shot Scramble by Barbara Whitaker of The New York Times

  • A mother with a daughter who is severely asthmatic had a really difficult time trying to find a flu shot for her.
  • She finally got one because a doctor was able to persuade another patient not to get one.
  • This doctor only had 30 shots to give out.
  • The shortage came after years of health officials encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Advice on Vaccine Shortage Is Lacking, Local Officials Say by Gardiner Harris of The New York Times

  • State health departments and officials do not have enough vaccines for their regions and have no idea how to ration them.
  • The U.S. was reliant on only two vaccine manufacturers at the time, one of them being Chiron.
  • Some say this issue was foreseeable and the U.S. should have relied on more than two manufacturers.

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