BACKGROUND:
An early onset of influenza and reports of severe influenza complications in infants and children increased the demand for influenza vaccine. Vaccine supplies were quickly depleted leaving many providers with no vaccine and high-risk individuals unvaccinated.

OBJECTIVE:
Redirect vaccine doses through active surveillance of providers (private, public, tribal, IHS, hospitals, mass immunizers)who had an abundant number of doses of influenza vaccine to identified providers serving high risk groups who had depleted their supply of vaccine.

METHOD:
Providers, hositals, tribal and IHS facilities, mass immunizers, and others were contacted via telephone, email and fax to request information on influenza vaccine inventory, vaccine need, and high risk populations served. Information was input to a spread sheet to tract excess doses, need for doses, doses distributed or redirected. State immunization program staff acted as a "go-between" to match sites needing additional vaccine with sites who had excess vaccine for sale or donation. Individuals requesting vaccination were directed to a flu hotline/website for clinic locations.

RESULT:
Several hundred excess doses reported by various providers were redirected to providers needing additional vaccine for high-risk populations; high-risk individuals (children and adults) seeking vaccine were provided information on locations where they could obtain vaccine; collaborative partnerships between the state immunization program and immunization providers and other health entities was enhanced; methods developed can be utilized for future situations.

CONCLUSION:
Arizona Immunization Program staff were able to successfully redirect excess private influenza vaccine doses, thus maximizing the availability and supply of influenza vaccine in the state.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Learn a strategy to maximize use of existing vaccine supply.
2. Enhance communication between immunization providers
3. Adapt methods to be used for future situations.