Flu Vaccine Memorandum
Flu Memorandum
To: Representative Henry Waxman House Committee on Government Reform
From: Senior Policy Analyst
Date: 9/18/2012
Re: Influenza Shortage Distribution Recommendations
This memo outlines ways to address the recurring shortages of the influenza vaccine that occurred in the United States between 2000 and 2004. There were two important contributing factors to these vaccine shortages. First, there has been a significant reduction over the past few decades in the number of companies that choose to manufacture the flu vaccine. Second, the government has taken a laissez-faire approach to managing the distribution of the vaccine, even in times of shortage. In order to fully accomplish our overarching goal – to maximize stability and availability of the flu vaccine, particularly to Americans who are at highest risk of complications from the virus – I believe proper distribution of the flu vaccine must be more accessible to more channel of distribution to maintain an adequate supply of the flu vaccine. In order to do this, legislation must ensure that adequate supply of the vaccine is available during various flu seasons. Legislation must also encourage effective collaboration with private companies as they are the primary distributors of flu vaccine as well. In this memo, I recommend imposing a window period for the priority distribution of the flu vaccine to high-risk Americans in the event of a shortage. I also recommend exploring further the idea of providing government incentives to create a lucrative environment so that producing vaccine is a more enticing market for private companies to enter.
Primary Issues in Addressing the Flu Vaccine Distribution and Manufacturing
As you consider policy solutions to bring greater stability the U.S. influenza vaccine supply, I propose that you take into consideration three underlying issues:
Diminishing numbers of vaccine manufacturers
In recent years, the number of companies that manufacture
To: Representative Henry Waxman House Committee on Government Reform
From: Senior Policy Analyst
Date: 9/18/2012
Re: Influenza Shortage Distribution Recommendations
This memo outlines ways to address the recurring shortages of the influenza vaccine that occurred in the United States between 2000 and 2004. There were two important contributing factors to these vaccine shortages. First, there has been a significant reduction over the past few decades in the number of companies that choose to manufacture the flu vaccine. Second, the government has taken a laissez-faire approach to managing the distribution of the vaccine, even in times of shortage. In order to fully accomplish our overarching goal – to maximize stability and availability of the flu vaccine, particularly to Americans who are at highest risk of complications from the virus – I believe proper distribution of the flu vaccine must be more accessible to more channel of distribution to maintain an adequate supply of the flu vaccine. In order to do this, legislation must ensure that adequate supply of the vaccine is available during various flu seasons. Legislation must also encourage effective collaboration with private companies as they are the primary distributors of flu vaccine as well. In this memo, I recommend imposing a window period for the priority distribution of the flu vaccine to high-risk Americans in the event of a shortage. I also recommend exploring further the idea of providing government incentives to create a lucrative environment so that producing vaccine is a more enticing market for private companies to enter.
Primary Issues in Addressing the Flu Vaccine Distribution and Manufacturing
As you consider policy solutions to bring greater stability the U.S. influenza vaccine supply, I propose that you take into consideration three underlying issues:
Diminishing numbers of vaccine manufacturers
In recent years, the number of companies that manufacture