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Biological products industry

Influenza Vaccine Shortage Threatens US Public Health

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Health authorities in the United Kingdom have blocked the release of millions of doses of influenza vaccine intended for the US market due to concerns of bacterial contamination. As a result, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may not be able to salvage any of the 46-48 million doses of Chiron's Fluvirin vaccine. Experts warn that the shortage could lead to increased flu infections and deaths, particularly among high-risk groups such as the elderly.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US is facing a severe influenza vaccine shortage due to the contamination of Chiron's Fluvirin vaccine, which was intended to supply 46-48 million doses.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has met in an emergency session to discuss the issue.
  • Dr. William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, estimates that not a single dose of Chiron vaccine will be used in the US this year.
  • The current available supply is only 54 million doses, down from 100 million planned, with 54 million doses coming from Aventis Pasteur and 1-2 million doses from Medimmune's Flumist nasal spray vaccine.
  • High-risk groups, including adults over 65 and infants under 2, will have to rely on voluntary cooperation from the public health community, medical community, and other organizations for vaccinations.
  • Healthy people are being urged to forgo receiving the vaccine voluntarily.
  • Some experts suggest that people may have developed natural immunity after being exposed to the flu last year, but this is not a guaranteed protection.
  • Alternative options for the elderly include getting the pneumococcal vaccine and using anti-viral drugs such as Relenza, Tamiflu, Symmetrel, and Flumadine.

Statistics:

  • 5 of the past 6 years have seen flu vaccine shortages.
  • Over 36,000 people die from the flu in the US each year.
  • The 1918 flu pandemic killed over 50 million people worldwide.
  • 2 million doses of bird flu vaccine are currently being manufactured by Aventis under a recent contract awarded by HHS.
  • Incentives need to be enacted to induce more manufacturers to produce vaccine, according to Dr. Schaffner.
  • The bird flu strain has already killed 31 people in Thailand and Vietnam.

Sources:

  • United Press International (no date)
  • Dr. William Schaffner, professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
  • Dr. Gregory Poland, director of the Vaccine Research Group at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  • Lenore Gelb, FDA spokeswoman
  • Patrick Libbey, executive director of the National Association of County and City Health Officials
  • Dr. Samuel Katz, professor at Duke University Medical Center
  • Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association

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