Fact Sheet PDF(88.52 KB, 1 page)

The United States is fortunate to have the largest ever supply of influenza vaccine in a single season this year. Before the season began, influenza vaccine manufacturers projected a total production of up to 110-115 million doses. While production numbers for the season have not yet been finalized, distribution data indicate that approximately 102.5 million doses have been distributed to date.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with many partners, has made significant efforts to promote the use of influenza vaccine in an attempt to make the best possible use of this year’s vaccine supply. Strategies employed have included promotion of workplace vaccination; vaccination on college campuses; and vaccination of healthcare workers. In addition, CDC worked closely with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to promote an extended vaccination season by sponsoring the first annual National Influenza Vaccination Week (November 27-December 3, 2006).

In the same spirit, we want to take this opportunity to reach out to our colleagues in travel medicine, whom we know are already well-aware that CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends influenza vaccination for travelers who have not previously been vaccinated during the influenza season:

Persons at high risk for complications of influenza and who were not vaccinated with influenza vaccine during the preceding fall or winter should consider receiving influenza vaccine before travel if they plan to

• travel to the tropics,
• travel with organized tourist groups at any time of year, or
• travel to the Southern Hemisphere during April—September.

It is fortunate this year that the 2006-07 Northern Hemisphere vaccine that we have available in the United States contains the same influenza virus strains that are in the 2007 Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine. Therefore, persons vaccinated with the vaccine available in the U.S. can expect optimal protection when traveling to the tropics and the Southern Hemisphere.

Because it can be sometimes difficult to find influenza vaccine for purchase beyond December or January in the United States, we want to make you aware of a vaccine availability tracking tool. The Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS) lists influenza vaccine manufacturer and distributors with vaccine for sale and can be found at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/16919.html. This tool was developed by the National Influenza Vaccine Summit, a partnership of more than 100 public and private stakeholders involved in influenza vaccination at the local, state, and national levels. This partnership is co-sponsored by CDC and the American Medical Association (AMA). The AMA has agreed to continue updating this website regularly throughout the end of June 2007, when seasonal influenza vaccine in the United States expires. We hope that you find this influenza vaccine availability tool helpful as you continue to vaccinate your patients as part of their preparation for travel.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu, or call CDC at
800-CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or 888-232-6348 (TTY).