Preventing influenza: vaccine systems and practices in the Southeast

The purpose of this study was to determine from state and local health departments: (1) how they purchase, distribute, and fund influenza vaccine; (2) whether they experienced a shortage in 2003/04; (3) how the shortages were handled; and (4) how they prepared for distribution in 2004/05.

A web-based survey was completed from June to August 2004 in eight Southeastern states.

Data were obtained from each state and 222 local health departments. Major differences between and within states were found with regard to purchasing, distributing, and funding influenza vaccine. Although the majority of health departments experienced periods of shortages in 2003/2004, surpluses of vaccine remained at the end of the season. There was little evidence of interaction between the public and private sectors to share vaccine resources in response to shortages. Tracking systems for redistribution of vaccine or follow-up were often not in place. Entering the 2004/05 season, 25% of states and 11% of counties were not developing any special procedures to deal with shortages beyond what was in place earlier.

Better systems and funding are needed, especially for adult influenza vaccine delivery and for redistribution of influenza vaccine in response to shortages.