United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2001-05-15 monographic deposited born digital 36 p. GA 1.13:GAO-01-624 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-624 P0b002ee18039988c f:d01624 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-624 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-624 GAO-01-624 Health resources utilization Health services administration Immunization services Medical supplies Prices and pricing Swine influenza Other Written Product A00947 Until the 2000-2001 flu season, production and distribution of flu vaccine generally occurred without major difficulties. The fall of 2000, however, produced many stories about delays in obtaining flu vaccines. GAO reviewed (1) the circumstances that contributed to the delay and the effects the delay had on prices paid for vaccine, (2) how effectively current distribution channels ensure that high-risk populations receive vaccine on a priority basis, and (3) what the federal government is doing to better prepare for possible disruptions of influenza vaccine supply. GAO found that manufacturing difficulties resulted in an overall delay of about 6-8 weeks in shipping vaccine to most customers and a temporary price spike. Manufacturers experienced unprecedented problems growing a new viral strain, while 2 of 4 manufacturers halted production--one permanently--to address safety and quality control concerns. There is currently no system to ensure that high-risk patients have priority when the supply of vaccine is short. While the federal government has no direct control over how influenza vaccine is purchased and distributed by the private sector and state and local governments, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has several initiatives underway to help mitigate the adverse effects of future influenza vaccine shortages and delays. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised guidelines to extend the recommended timeframe for receiving immunizations, and is helping to bring together manufacturers, distributors, providers, and others in the private and public sectors to explore ways to improve distribution to high-risk individuals. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-624/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-624.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-624/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-624.pdf GAO-01-624 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-624 Other Written Product GAO-01-624; Flu Vaccine: Supply Problems Heighten Need to Ensure Access for High-Risk People; Health resources utilization Health services administration Immunization services Medical supplies Prices and pricing Swine influenza