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CDC: Demand high for H1N1 vaccine, seasonal influenza vaccine

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There has been “unprecedented demand” for vaccination against seasonal influenza and influenza A (H1N1), according to Tom Frieden, MD, director of the CDC.

Frieden, speaking at a CDC press conference yesterday, said demand for the influenza A (H1N1) vaccine continues to be ahead of the available U.S. supply. He said there are currently 31.8 million doses of influenza A (H1N1) vaccine available.

This is “on track to hit the 10 million increase that we had been hoping and anticipating for in the current week,” according to Frieden.

Frieden acknowledged that the number of doses of the vaccine that are available are not enough to keep up with demand. “We know it is not nearly as much as we would have liked,” he said. “We know it is frustrating, inconvenient and disruptive for people to try to get the vaccine and not to be able to.”

The influenza A (H1N1) pandemic has also helped to increase demand for seasonal influenza vaccination. “We think this year will be the highest ever up take on seasonal influenza vaccine,” Frieden said. “We anticipate there being around 114 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine available through the market by the end of the year. It may be there is even greater demand than that by the end of the season.”

Frieden also said that most cases of influenza in the United States have been attributable to influenza A (H1N1) so far this season.

“Influenza continues to be widespread and virtually all the flu we are diagnosing is still H1N1,” he said. “[We are seeing] almost no seasonal influenza yet. What the rest of the season will hold, only time will tell.”