More than 690,000 Americans have already received this season's flu vaccine from their doctor, according to SDI's VaccineTrack® data through Sept. 4. VaccineTrack® provides syndicated weekly vaccine usage by physicians based on medical office electronic healthcare reimbursement claims data.
“These measures taken by CDC and vaccine manufacturers facilitate public health efforts to make flu vaccines available to all”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced an unprecedented campaign to combat seasonal flu through a universal vaccination strategy. CDC removed many restrictions and currently supports seasonal influenza vaccination for all persons 6 months of age and older based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises CDC on vaccine issues.
In the 2010/2011 season, vaccine manufacturers are slated to produce more influenza vaccine than ever before. Shipments of influenza vaccine began weeks ahead of most other seasons in anticipation of rapid and wide-ranging vaccine uptake.
"These measures taken by CDC and vaccine manufacturers facilitate public health efforts to make flu vaccines available to all," said Andrew Kress, CEO of SDI.
SDI tracks vaccine use through a variety of channels, including medical offices. SDI maintains the largest influenza-monitoring program in the United States and has tracked, measured, and forecast the number of people affected by cough, cold, influenza, and other upper respiratory conditions for over 25 years.
Each year in the United States, on average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die from seasonal flu complications. CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu.
U.S. flu vaccines expected to shift from quadrivalent to trivalent, researcher says