Why does the information on H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines keep changing?

We know this has already been a challenging flu season that has caused anxiety, frustration and anger for our patients. Unlike other years, when only the seasonal flu vaccine is produced, manufacturers are producing two vaccines for this flu season — for H1N1 and seasonal flu. At this time, vaccine manufacturers have stopped producing seasonal vaccine based on a mandate from the federal government to produce H1N1 vaccine. Unfortunately, we cannot control when we will receive our supply of either the seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccine. We are dependent on the vaccine manufacturers and, in the case of H1N1, distribution from the federal government to fill our orders. Please know that we are doing everything under our control to vaccinate our patients as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine: PAMF placed its order for seasonal flu vaccine with manufacturers ahead of schedule, but we did not receive our full order and we do not have control over when the rest of our supply will be shipped. Shipment of seasonal flu vaccine has now been delayed as mandated by the federal government so that vaccine manufacturers can complete production and distribution of the H1N1 flu vaccine supply. Ultimately, PAMF does expect to receive its full shipment of seasonal flu vaccine later this fall, and when we receive our supply, we fully expect to be able to offer vaccine to all of our patients who want it. Again, this is a matter of timing, not a permanent shortage.

H1N1 Flu Vaccine: We also placed an early order for H1N1 flu vaccine with the State of California, which is distributing vaccine to health care providers as it becomes available from vaccine manufacturers and is released by the federal government. The delivery of the H1N1 vaccine remains a fluid situation that we monitor daily. We do not know when we will receive our next shipment. As soon as we are able to provide updates to our patients, we will do so on pamf.org/flu.

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Why have some patients received a flu vaccination from PAMF, but I can’t receive one?

Seasonal Flu Vaccine: Shipment of seasonal flu vaccine has now been delayed as mandated by the federal government so that vaccine manufacturers can complete production and distribution of the H1N1 flu vaccine supply. This delay caused cancellation of our last scheduled flu clinics. At this time we are reserving remaining vaccine for our patients with the highest-risk for the flu, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who already had appointments for pre-existing matters or regular check-ups. This is why someone you know may have received a vaccination at their appointment. PAMF does expect to receive its full shipment of seasonal flu vaccine later this fall, and when we receive our supply, we fully expect to be able to offer vaccine to all of our patients who want it.

H1N1 Flu Vaccine: Health care providers, including PAMF, who participate in the H1N1 vaccination program are required to offer the H1N1 vaccine to targeted priority groups as determined by state and local public health authorities. Due to the very limited H1N1 vaccine supply we have received, the vaccine has already been allocated to patients with existing appointments. Therefore, we are not able to accommodate vaccine-only appointments at this time or schedule future vaccine-only appointments. PAMF does expect more vaccine, but we do not know when we will receive our next shipment. The distribution process is completely controlled by the federal government based on the supply produced by vaccine manufacturers. When we receive additional vaccine, we will continue to follow the Public Health Department’s requirements for vaccinating the appropriate target groups first.

Our Web site is the best place to find out the most up-to-date information about seasonal and H1N1 flu.

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Are the vaccine delays and limited supplies only occurring at a few PAMF clinic sites?

No. The delay in receiving the seasonal flu vaccine and the very limited supply of H1N1 vaccine is affecting all PAMF sites. The same delays are occurring locally, regionally and nationally.
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