Mass Dispensing Area 31 Volunteer Website

Panflu Vaccine  – Who Should Get It First?

The chance of a deadly worldwide outbreak of influenza (a pandemic) is increasing.  Early in such an outbreak, the United States will lack an adequate supply of vaccine. This will be no one's fault.  Rather, it will be because developing and making an effective vaccine will take months.  The regular flu vaccine we have now probably won't work against any new flu virus powerful enough to cause a pandemic.

If this happens, there will need to be difficult and painful decisions made about how to distribute a limited supply of vaccine. Who should get it first?  Who should get it second?  What are our priorities?  A draft federal proposal for vaccination priority groups in the event of a pandemic flu was released in October for public comment. You can read the full document and submit your comments by visiting http://www.aspe.hhs.gov/panflu/vaccinepriorities.shtml.

MDA #31 staff is currently assessing the impact of these draft recommendations on our pandemic flu plan. To the extent possible, we will use these recommendations to develop potential scenarios for vaccination clinics.