This could be bad
HHS announces delay in vaccine distribution.
ABC World News (8/17, story 7, 1:55, Gibson) reported, "Protection against the swine flu is going to be delayed for millions of Americans. Federal officials now say that only about a third of the swine flu vaccine the country is counting on will be available by mid-October. That's when the mass vaccination campaign is scheduled to begin." The CBS Evening News (8/17, lead story, 2:40, Rodriguez) reported, "A possible setback in the battle against the H1N1 flu virus. It's expected to make a comeback this fall, and US health officials had predicted 120 million doses of vaccine would be available by mid-October. But today, they said no, we'll only have 45 million." Dr. William Schaffner of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center said the delay "gives the virus a little bit more of an advantage," adding "the fact that we have fewer doses I think actually will focus attention. It will mean that we all will have to be much more explicit about whom we will ask to show up."
In a story appearing on over 200 news websites, the AP (8/18, Neergaard) reports, "The US won't have nearly as much swine flu vaccine ready by mid-October as long predicted -- 45 million doses instead of the anticipated 120 million, a federal official said Monday." Health and Human Services spokesman Bill Hall said the new estimate was "not a shortage but a delay," adding that more vaccine would arrive shortly afterwards, with "about 20 million more doses being shipped weekly until the government reaches the full 195 million doses ordered." Manufacturing issues were blamed for the October delay, including "a limited number of...so-called finish-and-fill facilities," and the development of a test intended to ensure the doses "are at the proper strength." Hall indicated that the shortened supply would initially result in smaller vaccination campaigns. Reuters (8/18, Fox) reports that the revised estimate would also push back the United States estimate for required immunizations to the first week of December. The Wall Street Journal (8/18, McKay, subscription required) runs a brief Q&A regarding the expected H1N1 resurgence that reflects the revised vaccination estimates.
ABC World News (8/17, story 7, 1:55, Gibson) reported, "Protection against the swine flu is going to be delayed for millions of Americans. Federal officials now say that only about a third of the swine flu vaccine the country is counting on will be available by mid-October. That's when the mass vaccination campaign is scheduled to begin." The CBS Evening News (8/17, lead story, 2:40, Rodriguez) reported, "A possible setback in the battle against the H1N1 flu virus. It's expected to make a comeback this fall, and US health officials had predicted 120 million doses of vaccine would be available by mid-October. But today, they said no, we'll only have 45 million." Dr. William Schaffner of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center said the delay "gives the virus a little bit more of an advantage," adding "the fact that we have fewer doses I think actually will focus attention. It will mean that we all will have to be much more explicit about whom we will ask to show up."
In a story appearing on over 200 news websites, the AP (8/18, Neergaard) reports, "The US won't have nearly as much swine flu vaccine ready by mid-October as long predicted -- 45 million doses instead of the anticipated 120 million, a federal official said Monday." Health and Human Services spokesman Bill Hall said the new estimate was "not a shortage but a delay," adding that more vaccine would arrive shortly afterwards, with "about 20 million more doses being shipped weekly until the government reaches the full 195 million doses ordered." Manufacturing issues were blamed for the October delay, including "a limited number of...so-called finish-and-fill facilities," and the development of a test intended to ensure the doses "are at the proper strength." Hall indicated that the shortened supply would initially result in smaller vaccination campaigns. Reuters (8/18, Fox) reports that the revised estimate would also push back the United States estimate for required immunizations to the first week of December. The Wall Street Journal (8/18, McKay, subscription required) runs a brief Q&A regarding the expected H1N1 resurgence that reflects the revised vaccination estimates.