Updates: H1N1 vaccine supply and NY health care worker mandates

There's more coverage of the H1N1 vaccination program than we or anyone else can digest. However, this story from yesterday's Washington Post, "Why such a shortage of swine flu vaccine?" does a very good job examining the most common topic of late, the recent shortfall in H1N1 vaccine supply compared to government and manufacturer predictions. (Whether this technically qualifies as a 'shortage' is up for debate.)

According to this Associated Press report late yesterday, the vaccine supply situation seems to be improving. Hopefully, interest in the vaccine will remain high until adequate vaccine doses become available. Otherwise, it's quite possible that later this winter, health officials will find themselves with the opposite problem -- millions more doses of H1N1 vaccine than citizens making an effort to receive it.

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In related news, we wrote several posts earlier this month on mandatory vaccination policies for health care workers, particularly the statewide program in New York. Citing inadequate supplies of both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines, Gov. David Paterson announced late last week a suspension of the requirement for the current flu season. Here is coverage from the New York Times.

Notwithstanding the New York decision, many health systems are proceeding with influenza vaccination requirements this fall. The Immunization Action Coalition has compiled an "Honor Roll" of health care facilities with vaccination requirements for health care workers.