The CDC and Aventis Pasteur, the only company now providing flu vaccines, have announced a two-phase plan to distribute 22.4 million doses in a way they hopefully will be aimed at those who truly need it.

During the course of the next two months, 14.2 million doses will be distributed directly to “high-priority vaccine providers.” Part two of the plan will then dole out the emaining 8.2 million doses to areas identified as being in “high need” of influenza immunizations. How high need is defined has not been elaborated upon.

Juliie Gerberding, MD, MPH, the director of the CDC, did not have any kind words for those who are using the shortage to shore up their private bank accounts. In an article on Pharmacist.com, she is quoted as saying that price gouging is immoral, and “we are working with the state governments and hope to be able to tell you in the future that these people have been prosecuted to the full extent of the law. There’s no room for this kind of behavior in an environment where we need to pull together as a country to protect our vulnerable populations.”

Them’s fighting words, but I do think that the CDC should have been on the forefront of vaccine shortages years ago. If manufacturers were assured that they would not be taking a loss every year that they produced influenza vaccines, we would no doubt have several companies all ready and willing to make vaccines, and have a healthy supply. There is no reason that this situation should have occurred. Absolutely none.

Read more at Pharmacist.com

Yeah, I know. Shipment was stopped, the health regulators rushed in and screamed, ranted, and raved, but there still was hope that some of Chiron’s vaccine stock could be salvaged. But as of today, the conclusion is that the Chiron vaccine is a lost cause. Not one single dose that was manufactured for the U.S. market can be used, due to contamination.

So back to square one. Half the doses are still missing.

But rather than wringing hands and making public announcements, like ” we unfortunately wound up reaching our final conclusion this afternoon that none of it could be used,” which was uttered by the FDA’s acting commissioner Lester Crawford, how about taking some real action?

First, many people are not willing to surrender their dose to those who really need it. A few states have pushed through some legislation about this, and the CDC has made a “request,” but this really has to be a mandatory thing. And it has to be done quickly. Doses should only be delivered to places where they are likely to be utilized by those who really need it, and penalties/fines implemented to those dispensing it and receiving it. Our nation seems to be a little bit short on the idea of voluntary sharing, it seems.

Second, the policy towards vaccines has to change. They talk the same talk every year, and every year it’s the same thing. We were short on flu vaccine last year, because the season started very early, with reports of a few healthy children dying from it. But nothing happened. The government needs to work with the pharm companies, and be willing to buy up leftover vaccine doses. Unlike other types of vaccines, the flu shot is made up fresh every year and cannot be stockpiled. Unused doses are chucked into the trash, and its the manufacturer’s loss. This is one of the primary reasons why there are only two company’s willing to make the flu vaccine for the U.S. market.

None of these things will help for this year, though. Of course, we can swallow our pride and seriously look into purchasing vaccine doses from other countries. Like our neighbor, Canada. That clean and shining first world nation, with a stellar healthcare system and a standard of living that tops our own. Or how about those other dubious nations, such as Switzerland, Sweden, Germany or Denmark? Their healthcare systems can run circles around ours. As an example, in case you were interested, the U.S. has the highest rates of infant mortality, teenage pregnancy, unwanted pregnany, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV infection, than any other industrialized nation. We may be running neck to neck with Greece or Portugal as far as infant mortality, I haven’t checked this year’s statistics, but our rating is deplorable.

And we’re afraid of these other nations not meeting our standards? They’re the ones who should be afraid of buying anything from us.