CDC says vaccine shortage likely to outlast current H1N1 wave

The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) predicted today that the current wave of H1N1 influenza is likely to begin to wane before the shortage of vaccine for it eases.


"It's likely that the current wave of infection will peak, crest, and begin to decline before there are ample supplies," Frieden told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. "Whether there'll be another...

'Virus seems to be winning'
Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., chair of the subcommittee, voiced frustration over...

In a brief update on the H1N1 situation, Frieden said the nation has now had "many, many millions of cases" of the illness, well over 20,000 hospitalizations, and more than 1,000 deaths, including 114 children.
He asserted that the illness "is...

Shortage's impact on states and localities
Dr. Donald Williamson, Alabama's state health officer, said...

In September Alabama officials were told they could expect to get about 800,000 doses of vaccine by the end of October, but...

"Current projections show that 62% of the vaccine coming to Alabama won't be available until after December 1," he said. Further, it may not be possible to expand the vaccine to all Alabamans who want it until late December or January.
Because of the shortfall, the state decided to focus its vaccination efforts on the subpriority groups identified by the CDC and the providers most likely to...

In line with the strategy switch, school-based vaccination clinics have been postponed until late November or early December, Williamson said.

Like Williamson, he said the slow flow of doses is disrupting vaccination plans. For example,...