Flu vaccine supply seen steady this season
Despite some regional shortages, the supply of flu vaccine in the United States is expected to be adequate to meet demand this flu season, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
So far, 71 million doses have been distributed. Availability could exceed the current record of 83 million doses. The federal government expects to receive 800,000 doses from Chiron Corp. later this month to help ease the shortages. Priority groups, of which nursing home residents are one, have received vaccine in those shortage areas.Last year's shortage and the media attention on a possible avian flu
epidemic have contributed to high demand for vaccine, CDC Director Julie Gerberding said last week.
(Published 11-14-05)
