US struggles to keep up with demand vaccine (Feature)

Nov 26, 2009, 1:08 GMT

Washington/Geneva - Health officials across the United States have complained about shortages of vaccines for the pandemic A(H1N1) virus.

Just outside the capital, Washington DC, Mary Anderson, at the health department of Montgomery County, Maryland, said her region had only received half of vaccine order they placed.

One the countries hardest hit by the swine flu outbreak, the US was struggling to keep up with demand, even as public concerns over the safety of the vaccine kept some people away from the queues for the jab.

International and domestic health officials, have however insisted that the vaccines are as safe as the seasonal flu shot. The adverse reactions reported, they say, are largely in line with expectations - and vaccines always carry a small risk of side affects.

However, safety concerns have meant that the US will not use an adjuvant additive in its vaccines, even though these could help increase the supply.

Almost three times as much antigen is needed when the adjuvant is not used. Some trouble producing the vaccine in eggs have also delayed deliveries.

The US military has mandatory immunization for all personnel, although the department of defense said that because available vaccines quantities were relatively small, it was up to commanders to decide on distribution - with priority going to deployed soldiers.

US Central Command said it received half the amount needed for its troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the region.

Inside US borders, the Center for Disease Control in Georgia estimates that between 14 million and 34 million cases of H1N1 occurred between April and October 17 this year, causing about 2,500 to 6,000 deaths. The mid level for fatalities stands at about 3,900.

  According to the World Health Organisation - whose figures tend to lag behind national government tallies - the Americas have suffered the most fatalities of any continent, with a total of 4,806, as of November 15.

A spate of recent deaths in Canada and the US likely to up that count.

Globally, the WHO's latest data showed more than 206 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6770 deaths.

In the US, influenza transmission remains active and geographically widespread, although disease activity appears to have recently peaked in most areas except in the northeastern United States.

Canada appeared to be experiencing an intensification 'without a clear peak in activity,' the WHO recently said, while the US seemed to have recently peaked in most areas, except the north-east of the country.

In the tropical areas of Central and South America, though, most countries continue to report declining influenza activity, with the exception of Peru and Colombia.

Mexico, where the disease was originally diagnosed, this week received the country's first vaccine supplies, estimated at around 850,000 doses.

Although Mexico was the first country to report deaths, the fatality rate has not risen as rapidly as with its northern neighbour, with the toll was estimated at around 500 people.