Updated interim influenza vaccination recommendations--2004-05 influenza season.

On October 5, 2004, CDC was notified by Chiron Corporation that none of its inactivated influenza vaccine (Fluvirin) would be available for distribution in the United States for the 2004-05 influenza season. At that time, CDC, in coordination with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), issued interim recommendations to direct available inactivated influenza vaccine to persons in certain priority groups. CDC has been working with Aventis Pasteur, Inc., to distribute the remaining supply of its inactivated influenza vaccine Fluzone so that it reaches persons in the priority groups established on October 5. In addition, on December 7, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that up to 4 million doses of the GlaxoSmithKline influenza vaccine Fluarix, authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration under an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, would be available to help alleviate the influenza vaccine shortage this season.