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To the Editor: The sudden loss of half of the anticipated United States influenza vaccine supply raises the possibility of increased morbidity and mortality among persons in high-risk groups for the 2004-2005 season. Based on the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are 98.2 million high-risk individuals in the United States, including 36 million people older than 65 years.¹ To date, 30 million doses of vaccine have been distributed and another 28 million doses are anticipated, enough to vaccinate only 60% of all high-risk patients.² Publicity surrounding the shortage has created demand even among lower-risk adults, further threatening the supply for those who need it most. Despite the CDC’s recommendation that all priority groups "are considered to be of equal importance,"² the risk to individual patients within priority groups varies considerably depending on age and comorbid conditions. This study . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Methods

Michael Rothberg, MD, MPH
michael.rothberg@bhs.org
Division of General Medicine and Geriatrics
Department of Medicine
Baystate Medical Center
Springfield, Mass

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