At the current time, six influenza vaccine manufacturers are projecting that as many as 160-165 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available from currently licensed manufacturers in the U.S. for use during the 2010-11 influenza season.
For the 2010-11 season, manufacturers project producing approximately 74 million doses of thimerosal-free or preservative-free (trace thimerosal) influenza vaccine.
Influenza vaccine pre-booking typically occurs between January and March, though most preparations of vaccine should still be available for purchase. Providers should contact distributors and local vendors about remaining supply. Information about distributors who still have influenza vaccine available for sale can be found at http://www.preventinfluenza.org/ivats/.
Distribution of most products is anticipated to begin in August and manufacturer projections indicate that the majority of vaccine will be distributed by the end of October. However, some vaccine distribution will continue into November.
Different influenza vaccine preparations have different indications as licensed by the FDA. See the table below for an overview of these indications.
* "Healthy" indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.