Us CDC Predicts 97 Million Flu Shots for Fall

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As many as 97 million influenza shots will be available in the U.S. market for the upcoming flu season starting in October, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.

It said with the addition of GlaxoSmithKline as a supplier, there are now four companies providing the vaccines to the United States, but some prioritization of who gets the shots will still be required.

"However, because of the uncertainties regarding production of influenza vaccine, the exact number of available doses and timing of vaccine distribution for the 2005-06 influenza season remain unknown," the CDC said in its weekly report.

Last year, Chiron lost its manufacturing license because of contamination at its British manufacturing plant, and half the anticipated U.S. supply was lost. Many people waited in long lines to get the vaccine and health officials scrambled to obtain about 60 million doses from other suppliers.

The CDC says 185 million Americans should get a flu shot every year but fewer than half that number ever do.

The CDC said this year that the first people to get vaccinated include children ages 6 months to 23 months, pregnant women, health-care personnel who provide direct patient care, household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months.

"Beginning October 24, 2005, all persons will be eligible for vaccination," the CDC said in a statement.

"Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. projects production of 60 million doses of (vaccine). Chiron Corporation projects production of 18 to 26 million doses," the CDC said.

"GlaxoSmithKline, Inc., whose license application was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on August 31, 2005, projects production of 8 million doses of (vaccine). MedImmune Vaccines, Inc., producer of live attenuated influenza vaccine, projects production of approximately 3 million doses."

MedImmune's vaccine is taken via a sprayer, not injected. It is not approved for very young children or the ill.

Influenza kills an estimated 36,000 Americans and puts 200,000 in the hospital in an average year. Because the virus constantly changes, the vaccine must be reformulated every year, and the process is uncertain and fraught with difficulty.

The annual flu vaccine provides no protection against the H5N1 avian flu that is spreading in Asia, and has killed more than 50 people. Work is underway on developing and testing an H5N1 vaccine.