November 7, 2006

(Papers Statewide)
Via e-mail

To the Editor:

Autumn is the most practical time for physicians to vaccinate patients for the flu. Our offices aren’t yet filled with patients who have the typical winter illnesses. Also, come mid-October, my office receives hundreds of flu shot requests from patients who are reminded to call after seeing the Walgreens and Wal-mart ads offering vaccines. Many doctors only receive a partial vaccine order before the flu season starts, but it appears the big chain stores have little trouble receiving their shipments.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that this year’s predicted 110-115 million doses “represent 16% more doses than available during 2005-06,” many of my patients will have to wait for their vaccine until well after the flu season begins. The CDC also states that having a flu vaccine as late as December and January is still beneficial—but try telling that to patients who don’t want to risk becoming ill once a flu outbreak begins, or who are unable to travel after roads become caked with ice and snow.

According to a recent informal poll conducted by the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS), only 22% of our physician members had received their full vaccine order by late October; 45% had received only a partial order; and still 24% had not received any shipment. One ISMS doctor surveyed said, “We ordered 1,400 doses of flu vaccine and received 200 doses in our first shipment. We’re a family practice clinic with many high priority patients. How do you prioritize 200 doses?”

Doctors understand that making these vaccines from unique strains of influenza virus each year is a complicated and time-consuming process. But there has to be a more efficient way to send these vaccines to market without jeopardizing patient safety. Retailers like Wal-mart and Walgreens shouldn’t be first in line to receive flu vaccines for essentially healthy patients while primary care physicians, who treat the majority of at-risk and often immobile patients, wait.

The Illinois State Medical Society strongly urges both the CDC and flu vaccine manufacturers and distributors to develop a plan to minimize the time required for physicians and patients to receive the vaccines. If large chain stores can obtain flu shots in a timely manner, then so should doctors have them in time to vaccinate patients before the flu season begins.

Sincerely,
Peter E. Eupierre, M.D.
President, ISMS

Twenty North Michigan Avenue, Suite 700   Chicago, Illinois 60602   Web site: www.isms.org
Telephone: 312-782-1654   Toll Free: 800-782-ISMS   Fax: 312-782-2028