CDC: More than half of a projected 150 million-plus flu shots have been distributed to date

ATLANTA — As of mid-August, seven influenza vaccine manufacturers projected that as many as 151 million to 159 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available for use in the United States during the 2014-2015 influenza season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted on a web page updated Friday.

 

"Some companies have communicated information to their customers about delays in shipments that had originally been anticipated for August and September," the agency reported. "Despite these early season shipping delays, however, manufacturers anticipate the majority of their flu vaccine distribution will occur by the end of October. While this is slightly later than vaccine was shipped last year, it is not an unusual pattern for seasonal flu vaccine distribution overall."

 

Since Sept. 26, 87.9 million doses had been distributed.