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Questions & Answers
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply for the U.S. 2008-09 Influenza Season
How much influenza vaccine is projected to be available for the 2008-09 influenza season?
At the current time, six influenza vaccine manufacturers are projecting that as many as 146 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available from currently licensed manufacturers in the U.S. for use during the 2008-09 influenza season. This will be the most flu vaccine ever distributed in the U.S. during a single influenza season.
How much thimerosal-free influenza vaccine is expected to be available for the 2008-09 season?
For the 2008-09 season, manufacturers project producing as many as 50 million doses of thimerosal-free or preservative-free (trace thimerosal) influenza vaccine. Of these 50 million doses, approximately 20 million doses represent flu vaccine products that are licensed for use in children over 3 years of age.
Will the supply of thimerosal-free and preservative-free (trace thimerosal) influenza vaccine be adequate for the recommended pediatric priority groups (ages 6-59 months) during the 2008-09 season?
For the 2008-09 season, there is one product licensed for 6-23 month old children (the product is thimerosal-free). For children between the ages of 2 and 5 years of age, there are three products available that are thimerosal-free (sanofi's Fluzone; MedImmune's FluMist) or preservative-free (trace thimerosal- [Novartis's Fluvirin]). Specific information about these products and other influenza vaccines can be found in the Table: Influenza Vaccine Manufacturers for the 2008-09 Influenza Season. Given the uptake of influenza vaccine among children less than 5 years of age, and the anticipated increase in vaccination coverage for this season, CDC projects that the vaccine supply for this age group will be adequate to meet demand.
Can I still buy influenza vaccine for the 2008-09 season?
Influenza vaccine pre-booking typically occurs between January and March, though most preparations of vaccine should still be available for purchase. Providers should contact distributors and local vendors about remaining supply. Information about distributors who still have influenza vaccine available for sale can be found at http://www.preventinfluenza.org/ivats/.
What can we anticipate in terms of the timing of vaccine availability for the 2008-09 season?
Distribution of most products began in early to mid-August and manufacturer projections indicate that the vast majority of vaccine will be distributed by the end of October. However, some vaccine distribution may continue into November, including doses that are ordered during the fall.
Are all influenza vaccines the same?
Different influenza vaccine preparations have different indications as licensed by the FDA. See the table below for an overview of these indications.
| Manufacturer | Vaccine | Formulation | Thimerosal preservative | Age indication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sanofi pasteur, Inc. | Fluzone®, Inactivated TIV |
Multi-dose vial | Yes | 6 months and older |
| Single-dose pre-filled 0.25 mL syringe | None | 6-35 months | ||
| Single-dose pre-filled 0.5 mL syringe or vial | None | 36 months and older | ||
| Novartis Vaccine (formerly Chiron Corporation) |
Fluvirin® Inactivated TIV |
Multi-dose vial | Yes | 4 years and older |
| Single-dose pre-filled 0.5mL syringe | Preservative free (1 mcg or less mercury/0.5mL dose) | 4 years and older | ||
| MedImmune Vaccines, Inc. | FluMist® LAIV |
Single-dose sprayer | None | Healthy* persons 2-49 years |
| CSL Biotherapies | Afluria® Inactivated TIV | Single-dose pre-filled 0.5mL syringe | None | 18 years and older |
| Multi-dose vial | Yes | 18 years and older | ||
| GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals (subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline PLC) | Fluarix™ Inactivated TIV |
Single-dose pre-filled 0.5 mL syringe | Preservative free (1 mcg or less mercury/0.5mL dose) | 18 years and older |
| ID Biomedical Corporation (subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline PLC) | FluLaval™ Inactivated TIV |
Multi-dose vial | Yes | 18 years and older |
* "Healthy" indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.
- Page last updated September 11, 2008
- Content Source: Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases (CCID)
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
