Flu Vaccine Case Study Essay - 1732 Words

The 2004-2005 U.S. Influenza Vaccine Shortage Influenza, or the flu, causes approximately 36,000 deaths and 200,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States and costs the American economy between $11 and $18 billion each year (General Accounting Office 2001b, page 1). The primary method for preventing influenza is the flu vaccine, which is generally available in a variety of settings including clinics, hospitals, schools, workplaces, and other convenient locations. The vaccine is typically distributed in October and November in anticipation of the winter flu season, which usually begins in late November and peaks in February. For the 2004-05 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that as many as†¦show more content†¦Though manufacturers take some risk in producing vaccines, efforts of the government to promote vaccination and stockpile vaccines helps to ensure markets for the salve of vaccines (Pollack 2004). Precipitating Factors in the 2004-05 Flu Crisis Two companies, Aventis and Chiron, produce all the flu vaccine for the US and hoped to provide 100 million dosages for the 2004-05 flu season. However, in August 2004, Chiron, a California-based company, announced to the FDA and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in Britain that it would not be delivering the full US supply because 48 million doses produced at Chiron’s plant in Liverpool, England, had been contaminated. Concerns about quality and safety at the Liverpool plant emerged as early as 2003 following an FDA inspection. At that time, however, the FDA allowed Chiron to voluntarily fix the problems and, based on reassurances from Chiron, the US government believed the bacterial contamination issue would be resolved. The FDA proceeded to communicate with Chiron via letters, emails, and phone calls, while the MHRA took a more proactive approach including inspections of the plant (Brown 2004). In October 2004, to the surprise of the US government, the MHRA suspended Chiron’s license and closed the plant. Dr. Shaffner of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee stated that â€Å"we have been reassured on a regular basis† that the contamination was notShow MoreRelatedWill You Take The Flu Vaccine? Essay1466 Words   |  6 PagesYou Take the Flu Vaccine? Do you really know what’s going into your body when you go to the local pharmacy and get your yearly flu vaccine? An analysis of the flu vaccine process reveals multiple worries concerning the terminology used by doctors to describe vaccines and their symptoms; however, can these disadvantages keep you from getting the flu vaccine, which will increase your risk of becoming infected with influenza. American citizens are worried about getting their flu vaccines this year dueRead MoreFlu Vaccination Is A Contagious Virus Essay1574 Words   |  7 Pages The Flu is a highly contagious virus that causes many people to become sick and even die from. Americans do not understand that taking the flu vaccination is vital to help you become more immune to getting sick. There are many options that you can take to get the flu either a vaccine or a flu mist. Research has shown that people are avoiding the flu vaccine because of false conspiracy that have caused people to be afraid of getting the flu, thereby causing thousands of illness and death as aRead MoreVaccines And Its Effects On Children1404 Words   |  6 Pagesadverse reactions from the vaccines? Today, there are many vaccines, they are in such high demand that even a simple flu has a vaccine. Vaccines are created to protect us. The main function of vaccines it to build our immune system and fight against many bacterias. 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Though not as common, the virus may also be spread when a person touches a surface or object the virus is on and then touches the mouth or nose. Symptoms include fever, aches, chills, tiredness, sudden onset, coughing, sneezing and sore throat. The CDC reports that most healthy adultsRead Morearguments against the flu vaccine1311 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿Lethal Injection: A study of influenza vaccines Every fall season we hear the question; did you get your flu shot yet? It is supposed to protect you from that nasty flu virus that circulates our communities during the fall and winter months. But, did you know that in 2011 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Adverse Event Reporting Systems Website (AERS) reported 51 deaths caused by the flu vaccine in the United States (U.S.) (CDC,2012). According to National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC)