Notice to Readers: CDC Contract for Additional 9 Million Doses of
Influenza Vaccine for the 2000--01 Season
CDC has contracted with Aventis-Pasteur, Inc. (Av-P) for the production of 9
million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2000--01 season. This additional production
ensures that approximately the same quantity of influenza vaccine is available for the
2000--01 season as the previous year (1,2). The 9 million doses are not intended to substitute
for vaccine that is already ordered and expected to be delivered.
For the 1999--2000 influenza season, approximately 77 million doses of
influenza vaccine were distributed in the United States, of which 3 million doses were returned
to
the manufacturers. For the 2000--2001 influenza season, distribution of
approximately 75 million doses is anticipated, including the 9 million doses contracted by CDC.
Av-P will give first priority to orders from providers who plan to vaccinate
primarily high-risk persons. Applications for vaccine orders from health-care providers and
programs should be sent directly to Av-P beginning November 3, 2000. Wholesale
distributors can apply to purchase vaccine starting December 4, 2000, if doses remain
available. Once an application has been received by Av-P, notification regarding order
acceptance will be provided to the applicant before mid-December. Delivery of vaccine is
anticipated to begin December 12, 2000, and end by early January 2001.
Additional information about the application process and vaccine availability is
available through Av-P, telephone (800) 720-8972, or World-Wide Web, http://www.vaccineshoppe.com
(click on Fluzone® Application Form link). Completed
application forms can be faxed to (888) 889-7129. Orders for this vaccine will not be taken
by telephone.
CDC's National Immunization Program (NIP) has developed an "Influenza
Vaccine Availability" website that will provide information about the availability of
influenza vaccine from manufacturers and wholesale distributors and will list state health
departments that may have information about vaccine availability among local providers.
This website will be updated weekly. The website can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu-vac-supply.Theupdated ACIP recommendations for influenza vaccine for the
2000--01 season and other influenza-related information can be accessed at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluvirus.htm. Additional information and assistance can be
obtained by contacting NIP by e-mail, nipinfo@cdc.gov, or by telephone, (800) 232-2522.
References
CDC. Updated recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices in response to delays in supply of influenza vaccine for the 2000-01 season.
MMWR 2000;49:888--92.
CDC. Delayed supply of influenza vaccine and adjunct ACIP influenza vaccine
recommendations for the 2000--01 influenza season. MMWR 2000;49:619--22.
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