Breaking News – Dallas County is reporting a shortage of flu shots, a delay caused by vaccine makers (see below).
Have you ever wondered why you might not be able to get a flu shot, even though you are seeing signs all over town telling folks to come in for their flu shot?
It’s complicated…
Where Is My Flu Shot?
No, not just the answer.
The whole system that we have to make and distribute flu shots…
“For the 2020-2021 season, manufacturers have projected they will provide as many as 194 to 198 million doses of influenza vaccine for the U.S. market.”
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply & Distribution
Surprisingly, while more flu vaccines are being made and distributed than ever before this year, it’s October and some pediatricians still haven’t gotten any flu vaccines to give their patients.
And some health departments that provide free flu vaccines in their communities have already run out.
“Dr. Philip Huang, Dallas County’s health director, wants you to get a flu shot as soon as possible. But you may need to wait for a free one. The county has nearly depleted its supply of flu vaccinations, and it is unclear when more will arrive, Huang told county commissioners Tuesday.”
Flu season just started, and Dallas County is facing a shortage of shots
Why the delay?
Delay?
“As noted below, manufacturers are already distributing flu vaccine with no significant delays reported. However, because of the record number of doses being produced this season, production and distribution will occur over a longer period.”
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply & Distribution
What delay?
Who’s talking about a delay?
Well, you might not consider it a delay when you realize that 139.4 million doses of flu vaccine have already been distributed, but that doesn’t help those folks who haven’t gotten any doses yet.
And that’s the problem.
Distribution is very uneven.
“The primary reason for the variation in timing is because different types of vaccine providers receive their vaccine from different sources. A provider may order influenza vaccine (1) directly from the manufacturer; (2) from a distributor, who is a customer of the manufacturer; or (3) from a secondary distributor, from whom the provider also receives other medical products. Some of these routes of distribution are more direct than others, which can affect the timing of vaccine delivery.”
Flu Frequently Asked Questions on Vaccine Supply
While some health care providers have already gotten their full order of flu shots, other offices have only gotten partial shipments.
And some are still left waiting for their first doses of flu vaccine, even though they might all have ordered from the same manufacturer at the same time!
Left waiting at a time when there is a big demand to get vaccinated and protected against the flu.
Left waiting without any answers…
More on Distributing Flu Shots
- Hosting a Flu Clinic During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- When Should I Get My Flu Shot?
- About Those 1 in 3 Parents Not Planning On Getting Their Kids Flu Shots…
- Do You Have to Get Flu Shots in College?
- I’m Not Anti-Vaccine, I Just Don’t Believe in Flu Shots
- Going Back to School During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- I’m Not Anti-Vaccine, I Just Don’t Believe in Flu Shots
- CDC – Reallocating Influenza Vaccine
- FDA – Influenza Vaccine for the 2020-2021 Season
- CDC – Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply for the U.S. 2020-2021 Influenza Season
- CDC – Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply & Distribution
- CDC – Frequently Asked Questions on Flu Vaccine Supply
- Influenza Vaccine Distribution
- Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System — IVATS
- National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit
- Flu Vaccine: Recent Supply Shortages Underscore Ongoing Challenges
- CDC – Vaccine Management Business Improvement Project (VMBIP)
- ‘Unprecedented Demand’ For Flu Shots Causing Shortage
- IAC – Ask the Experts about Flu Vaccines
- Can’t find the high-dose flu vaccine? Here’s why