Influenza vaccine prebooking and distribution strategies for the 2005-06 influenza season.

For the 2004-05 influenza season, CDC, in coordination with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), issued interim influenza vaccine use recommendations after Chiron Corporation announced that none of its inactivated influenza vaccine (Fluvirin) would be available in the United States. To plan for the upcoming 2005-06 influenza season, CDC has met with influenza vaccine manufacturers, including those intending to apply for approval to sell in the United States, to develop supply projections and distribution strategies, including prebooking (i.e., advance ordering of vaccine) and partial shipment of orders to those customers who prebook. As of March 25, 2005, the supply of inactivated influenza vaccine projected for the 2005-06 season appeared adequate to meet the historical demand from persons in the priority groups established by ACIP during the 2004-05 season. If more vaccine becomes available, additional groups can also be targeted for vaccination.