Reuters AlertNet Lite - Officials expect no flu vaccine shortage in U.S.

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Officials expect no flu vaccine shortage in U.S.

19 Sep 2007 16:29:44 GMT
Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Up to 132 million doses of influenza vaccine, a record, should be available in the United States for the flu season, health officials said on Wednesday.

In past years, tight supplies have reduced the number of Americans who have gotten the vaccine, but officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it appears there will be ample supplies this year. Too few people get the vaccine, the CDC officials said.

"This year, we are pleased that we believe we have a stable supply of vaccine," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding.

The expected total of up to 132 million doses compares to the 120 million doses that were available last year, of which 102.5 million doses were distributed to doctors and others to administer it to people, according to Dr. Jeanne Santoli, the CDC's deputy director of immunization services.

Santoli said the actual number of people who got the vaccine last year is not yet known. The flu vaccine is given as either a shot or as a nasal spray.

In kicking off their annual campaign to convince people to get the vaccine, officials advocated administering it for a longer period -- past the usual October and November time frame. They said the flu season generally peaks in February.

The campaign began on the same day U.S. health officials said they they approved the Flumist nasal spray influenza vaccine for children between 2 and 5 years. Flumist is made by MedImmune Inc, which was recently acquired by AstraZeneca <AZN.L>.

Previously, the vaccine was approved only for healthy children age 5 and older and adults up to age 49.

The CDC said flu kills about 36,000 people and sends 200,000 into the hospital in the United States annually.

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Last updated:Wed Sep 19 16:28:45 2007