More of the latest information is available on the total distribution of influenza vaccine doses for the 2019-2020 season.
Flu vaccine is produced by private manufacturers, so supply depends on manufacturers. Vaccine manufacturers have projected that they will supply as many as 162 million to 169 million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2019-2020 season.
For the 2019-2020 season, manufacturers will produce influenza vaccines containing thimerosal and some vaccines that do not contain thimerosal. For the 2019-2020 season, only multidose vial presentations of influenza vaccines contain thimerosal.
Approximately 85% of projected vaccine supply produced for the 2019-2020 flu season will be thimerosal-free (i.e., preservative-free).
For the 2019-2020 season, manufacturers will produce both trivalent (three-component) and quadrivalent (four-component) influenza vaccines.
Approximately 81% of the projected vaccine supply produced for the 2019-2020 flu season will be quadrivalent (4-component) vaccines. The remaining vaccine will be trivalent (3-component), including the high dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines, as well as one brand of standard-dose inactivated vaccine.
Approximately 82% of the projected vaccine supply produced for the 2019-2020 flu season will be produced using egg-based manufacturing technology. The remaining vaccine will be produced using cell-based and recombinant technology.
Influenza vaccine pre-booking typically occurs between January and March, though most preparations of vaccine should still be available for purchase. Providers should contact distributors and local vendors about remaining supply. In addition, beginning in early October each year, information about manufacturers and distributors who still have influenza vaccine available for sale can be found at http://www.preventinfluenza.org/ivats/ external icon .
Updates on the distribution of influenza vaccine doses for the 2019-2020 season will be provided as the season progresses.
The timing of vaccine availability depends on when production is completed. Some influenza vaccine shipments have already begun and will continue throughout August, September, October, and November until all of the vaccine is distributed.
More information on vaccines available in the United States for the 2019-20 influenza season.
All influenza vaccines contain antigen derived from the same influenza viruses, with the one difference being that trivalent vaccines have 3 different antigens and quadrivalent vaccines have four different antigens (the same three that are in the trivalent vaccines, plus one more). However, aside from the antigen composition, different influenza vaccines are manufactured differently and different preparations have different indications as licensed by the FDA. In particular, each is licensed for a specific age range. All recipients should receive a vaccine that is appropriate for their age. In addition, LAIV (the nasal spray flu vaccine) is not recommended for use in some populations.
People with a history of egg allergy who have experienced only hives after exposure to egg should receive influenza vaccine. Any licensed, recommended influenza vaccine (i.e., any IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4) that is otherwise appropriate for the recipient’s age and health status may be used.
People who report having had reactions to egg involving symptoms other than hives (e.g., angioedema or swelling, respiratory distress, lightheadedness, or recurrent vomiting) or who required epinephrine or another emergency medical intervention may similarly receive any licensed, recommended influenza vaccine (i.e., any IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status. The selected vaccine should be administered in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting (including, but not necessarily limited to, hospitals, clinics, health departments, and physician offices). Vaccine administration should be supervised by a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic reactions.
A previous severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccine, regardless of the component suspected of being responsible for the reaction, is a contraindication to future receipt of the vaccine.
Information about vaccine supply is available on the CDC influenza web site.