2005-2006 Flu Archive

MMWR Publishes Influenza Vaccination of Health-Care Personnel Recommendations

On February 24, 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Influenza Vaccination of Health-Care Personnel Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR 2006;55 (No. RR-2).

This report summarizes recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) concerning influenza vaccination of health-care personnel (HCP) in the United States. These recommendations apply to HCP in acute care hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, physician's offices, urgent care centers, and outpatient clinics, and to persons who provide home health care and emergency medical services. The recommendations can assist health-care facility administrators, infection control professionals, and occupational health professionals in optimizing influenza vaccination programs and influenza infection control programs in their institutions. HICPAC and ACIP recommend that all HCP be vaccinated annually against influenza. Facilities that employ HCP are strongly encouraged to provide vaccine to their staff by using evidence-based approaches that maximize vaccination rates.

This MMWR can be viewed online at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5502.pdf [PDF 628 KB]

Influenza Update

While November is an optimum time to obtain influenza vaccine, you can still receive vaccine in December and later. Flu season comes to Florida late-with the peak in January and February. We have more time than some states to prepare. There is still time for those at-risk to locate a provider

For the complete CDC guidelines on when and who should get a flu shot, visit: CDC Vaccination Recommendations

APIC Board Endorsed Mandatory Flu Vaccine for Healthcare Workers

Washington, DC, Nov. 15, 2005: Recognizing the dramatic effect healthcare worker immunization has on reducing influenza outbreaks and associated complications, the Board of Directors of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) voted to endorse mandatory influenza vaccination for healthcare professionals who have direct contact with patients.

"As stewards of patient safety, our nation's healthcare professionals exemplify the axiom 'first do not harm'," said APIC President Sue Sebazco, RN, BS, CIC. "So it concerns APIC that a mere 36% of these professionals opt for vaccination."

APIC Press Release [PDF 36 KB]

2005 Flu Vaccine Supply and Distribution Questions & Answers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and vaccine manufacturers have indicated there would be no shortage of vaccine in 2005. Why are some providers in Florida experiencing delays in getting vaccine?

The uneven distribution of vaccine throughout Florida (and the U.S.) occurs for the following reasons:

• Flu vaccine is delivered in batches; therefore, doses are shipped out as they are developed over the course of several weeks, as is done nearly every year. Shipments nationwide are expected to continue into December.
• Manufacturers typically fill large orders first, which means doctors' offices and health departments may get their orders later than larger corporations, such as drug store or grocery chains, that placed vaccine orders.
• Chiron, one of the four suppliers, will not be able to produce as much vaccine as it had originally anticipated; therefore, this may impact shipments to a distributor who ordered from Chiron.

More information about Florida's Flu vaccine supply [PDF 27 KB]

Influenza Vaccine Bulletins

Influenza Vaccine Bulletin #3 for the 2005-2006 season
Influenza Vaccine Bulletin #2 Flu Season 2005-2006
Influenza Vaccine Bulletin #1 for the 2005-2006 season

Sep. 29, 2005 - The current Bulletin discusses Influenza Vaccine Supply and Production, Influenza Vaccine Distribution and Administration, Influenza Vaccine Communications and Resources, and Upcoming Events. The American Lung Association (ALA) electronic influenza vaccine clinic locator at  www.flucliniclocator.org/ is highlighted.  The report notes that total vaccine production is estimated to range between 71 and 97 million doses. Three vaccine manufacturers: Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline and MedImmune (manufacturer of live attenuated vaccine) have had lots released for distribution by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Approximately 10 million doses from Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. are late-production doses. Inactivated vaccine is projected to be available from Chiron.

The Flu Gallery: Patient and Provider Education Materials

Materials for the 2005-06 Flu Season

Oct. 3, 2005 - CDC's Flu Gallery contains educational materials for use promoting influenza vaccination. These materials reflect CDC's vaccination recommendations and highlight the benefits of influenza vaccination. The Gallery contains print materials such as flyers, posters, and brochures, in color and black and white, English and Spanish. These materials serve both patient and provider audiences.

We encourage you to visit the online gallery often because, as vaccine supply information changes, new materials will be uploaded.

The Flu Gallery can be found at CDC - Influenza (Flu) | Education Materials

Flu News

Sep. 7, 2005 - CDC: Questions & Answers: Vaccine Supply and Prioritization Recommendations for the U.S. 2005-06 Influenza Season

Sep 2, 2005 - CDC: Update: Influenza Vaccine Supply and Recommendations for Prioritization During the 2005--06 Influenza Season

Aug. 6, 2005 - CDC: Tiered Use of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in the Event of a Vaccine Shortage

 Aug. 4, 2005 - CDC: Interim Guideline - Planning for a Possible U.S. Influenza Vaccine Shortage, 2005-2006 Season [PDF 108 KB]

July. 29, 2005 - Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

Important 2005-06 Influenza Vaccine Ordering Information

It is vital that all health care providers make plans early this season to protect their at-risk patients from influenza infection and its complications.

Preparation for the 2005-06 Influenza Season begins now. The Florida Department of Health recognizes that individual health care providers always administer the greatest number of flu shots in our state. We know that the family health practitioner is the best resource for individual health needs. The county health departments will not be able to order sufficient flu vaccine to meet the state's need. Therefore, the Secretary for the Florida Department of Health, M. Rony Francois, M.D., M.S.P.H., Ph.D., strongly urges all health care providers to contact their vaccine suppliers regarding the 2005-06 influenza vaccine ordering process.

The ordering process for the 2005-06 season may be slightly different than in previous years and providers should obtain detailed instructions from their vaccine distributor. To plan for the upcoming 2005-06 influenza season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a report: "Influenza Vaccine Prebooking and Distribution Strategies for the 2005--06 Influenza Season." Given the uncertainty about the number of doses of inactivated influenza vaccine that might be available for the 2005--06 season, CDC encourages implementation of a two-tiered prebooking strategy by manufacturers, distributors, and customers of inactivated vaccine. Additionally, the report lists Priority Groups for Prebooking of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine. The MMWR report regarding the Influenza Vaccine Prebooking and Distribution Strategies for the 2005--06 Influenza Season and Priority Groups for Prebooking of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine can be accessed at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5412a4.htm .

On February 10-11, 2005, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met to consider updates to its annual influenza vaccination recommendations. The anticipated publication date for the 2005-06 influenza season recommendations is July 2005. These will be published in the Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report. In addition to an updated vaccine formulation, changes to the recommendations include the following:

All health care personnel should be vaccinated against influenza and facilities that employ health care workers should be encouraged to provide vaccine to workers in ways that maximize uptake.

Florida's health care providers must initiate their individual influenza immunization plan, assess their populations, and place their vaccine order without delay. A joint effort between the public health community, private sector, individuals, and the medical community will help to ensure that sufficient vaccine is requested and available for the 2005-06 Influenza Season. Please share this information with all providers, staff and contacts involved with influenza immunizations.