Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to learn how physicians actually reacted facing the uncommon vaccine shortage situation

Background:
The nation's flu vaccine allotment was abruptly cut in half during the 2004-2005 influenza season. Eventually, San Diego County received 81.9% of the influenza vaccine that was originally allotted. The County of San Diego Immunization Branch investigated the shortage from the provider viewpoint.

Objectives:
To determine the impact of the influenza vaccine shortage on physicians caring for adults

Methods:
A questionnaire regarding the influenza vaccine shortage was distributed to a convenience sample of providers in San Diego County. We compared the responses from internists and family physicians to see if they had different attitudes and actions regarding the shortage situation. This data was analyzed by using two sample tests for binomial proportions.

Results:
A total of 358 questionnaires were distributed to doctors; 90 (21.5%) were returned. Physicians increased their efforts to deliver influenza vaccine during the shortage by holding special vaccine clinics (20%), responding to questions from patients (67%), and by seeking extra vaccine (56%). When faced with inadequate vaccine, providers referred patients to alternative sites [public health clinics (66%), community clinics (46%), pharmacies (41%)]. Due to redistribution strategies and other impacts of the shortage, 51.6% of providers had vaccine left over at the end of the season. Internists' and family physicians' responses differed on only two topics.


Conclusions:
Physicians were required to adapt their practices to deal with the influenza vaccine shortage. As was seen nationally, many physicians had vaccine left over at the end of the season.