Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)
Division of Epidemiology and Immunization
Update Regarding Delays with Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply for 2009-2010
October 20, 2009
On September 16, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Immunization Program informed health care providers about potential delays with seasonal influenza vaccine. These delays were due to prioritization of H1N1 vaccine production and other manufacturing challenges. At that time, we were projecting having the majority of our state-supplied doses by the end of October and the balance by early November.
To date, MDPH has received and distributed 631,530 doses of state-supplied seasonal flu vaccine, which is 71% of our total order of 885,000 doses. We have been informed by the manufacturers that we can expect additional shipments over the course of the next 4-6 weeks with the balance of our vaccine not arriving until the end of November.
The supply situation for private-purchased vaccine is similar. Approximately 77 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine have been distributed nationally, as of October 2, 2009. This is approximately 61% of the expected doses for this season.
Recommendations
MDPH recommends that all health care providers continue to vaccinate patients with seasonal influenza vaccine during routine visits and in scheduled clinics as supply allows.
Local Health Departments and Schools
- Large public clinics and school based flu clinics should be delayed until we have additional information about vaccine supply, unless your agency has an adequate amount of vaccine on hand to meet the expected demand.
Pediatric and Other Providers
- Continue to vaccinate your patients based on your available vaccine supply and formulation types.
We want to thank you for your efforts at this most difficult and challenging of times. MDPH will notify you if there are any changes in seasonal influenza vaccine supply. Please remember that in New England, seasonal flu usually doesn’t start until December and doesn’t peak until January or February. There is still plenty of time to vaccinate.
If you have questions regarding seasonal flu vaccine availability, please contact the Vaccine Management Unit at 617-983-6828.
“
