Tuesday, August 4, 2009

H1N1 Information- How will the vaccine be distributed?

Vaccine manufacturing

Novel H1N1 vaccine is being procured by the U.S. government from five (5) vaccine manufacturers of currently U.S.-licensed seasonal influenza vaccines – inactivated subunit (4) and live, attenuated vaccines (1). Inactivated licensed novel H1N1 vaccine will be available in single-dose syringes, or in multi-dose vials. Live attenuated vaccine will be available in limited number in inhaler sprayers. Single-dose syringes will be thimerosal-free, which will address concerns about this additive, especially regarding pediatric and pregnant vaccine recipients (inhaler sprayer vaccine products will also be thimerosal-free). The availability of novel H1N1 vaccine is dependent on multiple factors including virus growth at commercial scale, regulatory review, availability of calibrated vaccine product potency assay reagents, overall production capacity, and availability to U.S. through HHS contracts.

Vaccine purchase and allocation

Novel H1N1 vaccine is being purchased by the U.S. government and will be made available for vaccinators at no cost. Syringes, needles, sharps containers and alcohol swabs will also be provided. Vaccine will be allocated across states proportional to population. State health departments (and a few separately funded cities) will direct their allocation to local health departments and other vaccination partners.

Go to www.getmyflushot.com or www.ANeedleFreeFluVaccine.com for more information