Update: Influenza Vaccine Supply and Recommendations for Prioritization During the 2005--06 Influenza Season

Influenza vaccine distribution delays or vaccine supply shortages have occurred in the United States in three of the last five influenza seasons (1,2). In response, prioritization has been implemented in previous years to ensure that enough vaccine is available for those at the highest risk for complications from influenza (3). The information in this report updates projections of influenza vaccine supply and previous recommendations for priority use of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) during the 2005--06 influenza season (4).

Four manufacturers now expect to provide influenza vaccine to the U.S. population during the 2005--06 influenza season (Table). Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., projects production of 60 million doses of TIV. Chiron Corporation projects production of 18--26 million doses of TIV. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Inc., whose license application was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on August 31, 2005, projects production of 8 million doses of TIV. MedImmune Vaccines, Inc., producer of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), projects production of approximately 3 million doses. However, because of the uncertainties regarding production of influenza vaccine, the exact number of available doses and timing of vaccine distribution for the 2005--06 influenza season remain unknown.

Given the uncertainties in doses and distribution, CDC recommends that the following priority groups receive TIV until October 24, 2005:

• persons aged >65 years with comorbid conditions
• residents of long-term--care facilities
• persons aged 2--64 years with comorbid conditions
• persons aged >65 years without comorbid conditions
• children aged 6--23 months
• pregnant women
• health-care personnel who provide direct patient care
• household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children aged <6 months

  These groups correspond to tiers 1A--1C in the table of TIV priority groups that was published previously in the event of vaccination supply disruption (4). Beginning October 24, 2005, all persons will be eligible for vaccination.

  The tiered use of prioritization is not recommended for LAIV administration. LAIV may be administered at any time for vaccination of nonpregnant healthy persons aged 5--49 years, including most health-care personnel, other persons in close contact with groups at high risk for influenza-related complications, and others desiring protection against influenza (5). Additional information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu.

  References

  1. CDC. Updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in response to delays in supply of influenza vaccine for the 2000--01 season. MMWR 2000;49:888--92.
  2. CDC. Delayed influenza vaccine availability for 2001--02 season and supplemental recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR 2001;50:582--5.
  3. CDC. Interim influenza vaccination recommendations, 2004--05 influenza season. MMWR 2004;53:923--4.
  4. CDC. Tiered use of inactivated influenza vaccine in the event of a vaccine shortage. MMWR 2005;54:749--50.
  5. CDC. Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 2005;54(No. RR-8).

  
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  Date last reviewed: 8/31/2005