Healthcare facilities and physicians nationwide are finding that supplies of the flu vaccine this season are plentiful, making for a less-aggravating season than previous ones that saw shortages and other distribution problems.
An American Medical Association article quotes George Voigtlander, MD, a family physician with Pawnee County Rural Health in Pawnee City, NE, as saying, "Everything we ordered showed up on time. We're not having to ration the vaccine this year. It's a pleasant change."
In addition, the article cites Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data showing that the first cases of flu are beginning to appear, and as of November 2, manufacturers had distributed 103 million doses. A total of 132 million may be distributed before the season is over. These numbers are far higher than in previous years, according to the CDC.
To access the complete AMA article, go to www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/12/10/hlsa1210.htm.
