U.S. Buys More Flu Vaccine as Outbreak Widens

Affects all states, and is 'widespread' in 24

THURSDAY, Dec. 11, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced Thursday that the government has purchased 100,000 additional doses of adult flu vaccine to help stem a widening early outbreak of the virus.

The announcement came as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the flu has hit every state and activity was "widespread" in 24 states, many of them in the West. Health officials expect activity to intensify, but are stopping short of calling it an epidemic.

The doses, purchased from Aventis Pasteur, are expected to arrive at state health departments by the end of this week, Thompson said. "Each state's supply will be based upon its population," he added.

The government has also purchased 150,000 doses of the child vaccine. That, however, will not be available until January, Thompson said at a news conference held by the CDC.

These purchases comprise the total remaining vaccine supply from this manufacturer, Thompson said. The government is also in discussions with another vaccine maker, Chiron Corp., to see if it is possible to buy some 500,000 additional doses.

However, that vaccine is approved for use only in the United Kingdom, and it is not clear how it might be made available in the United States.

In addition, Thompson said the CDC has developed recommendations to encourage redistribution of existing vaccine supplies to areas where they are most needed. As of last week, 28 states had done so, according to the Dec. 12 issue of the CDC publication Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

These purchases and recommendations will not eliminate the shortage, but the government hopes to use the remaining vaccine supply as effectively as possible.

"We're sorry about the mismatch between vaccine supply and demand," said CDC director Dr. Julie Gerberding. "The silver lining is that more people are being vaccinated than ever before."

Gerberding says that all states are reporting flu, "and it is clear that the epidemic has not peaked." The predominant virus this year is the Fujian strain, which is not included in the vaccine.

"We are hopeful that the vaccine will provide protection for this strain, given the laboratory evidence we have and past experience, when there have been mismatches between vaccine and the strain in circulation," Gerberding said.

Gerberding stressed there is no scientific evidence this year's influenza epidemic is worse than in the past, or that the strain is more virulent than other strains. "It is simply too early in the course of the outbreak to say for sure how it will compare overall," she said.

"Obviously, the early start and the early widespread activity has given us concern," Gerberding says.

The priority groups for vaccination are those over 65, children 6 months to 23 months, anyone with a chronic medical condition, and women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, Gerberding said. In areas where vaccine supplies are ample, the CDC is also encouraging those who come into contact with high-risk individuals to get vaccinated.

In addition, FluMist is an option for healthy people within the age guidelines. However, because this is a live vaccine, recipients should take care not to potentially expose anyone else after receiving it. But, Gerberding expects supplies of this vaccine to dwindle quickly.

For most healthy people, the flu is an annoying illness that requires only rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications, Gerberding said. "It is not necessary to go to the emergency room or see a physician," she added.

The CDC lists flu symptoms this way:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Tiredness (can be extreme)
  • Dry cough
  • Sore throat
  • Nasal congestion
  • Body aches

People at risk should be vaccinated. If symptoms do develop, they should see their doctor early, Gerberding advised.

Gerberding believes there are 185 million American at risk for flu and most never get vaccinated. Annually, about 36,000 die from flu in the United States. Many of these deaths are preventable with vaccination, Gerberding said.

The recent deaths reported among children and young people are not unheard of, Gerberding said. "In past years there have been children affected and deaths. There is no evidence that this particular flu season or this particular Fujian strain is any more dangerous then other strains we have seen."

Gerberding added it is really too early to tell if the number of cases and deaths will be any higher than usual.

More information

To learn more about flu and vaccination, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the American Lung Association.

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