The 2017-18 flu season was one of the worst in recent memory, with
more than 700,000 hospitalizations. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention has warned the public to prepare for another potentially bad
flu season this year.
For the 2018-19 season, manufacturers are stepping up vaccine
production. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has
also reversed its position held for the previous two seasons on the
nasal spray vaccine and has endorsed its use for some cases. Physician
offices remain the most popular location for consumers to receive
vaccines, although more people are getting the flu shot at pharmacies or
stores.
HIDA just released its annual Influenza Vaccine Production & Distribution Market Brief. In
addition to covering the above developments, the report contains
projections for this yearâs flu season, distributorsâ perspectives, and a
look at data from the 2017-18 season. Here are a few key insights from
the report:
Children were hit especially hard by last yearâs flu. Only
the 2003-04 and 2009-10 flu seasons were more severe for children,
based on data review dating back to 2003. Last yearâs flu season was
also the first time all three age groups monitored for the disease were
classified as âhigh severity.â The severity of the flu season surprised
many experts, and even prompted Congress to examine the countryâs
readiness.
Manufacturers predict increase in vaccine production. Manufacturers
predict between 163 million and 168 million doses of flu vaccine will
be produced for the 2018-19 flu season. They expected to produce between
151 million and 166 million last year. As of May 3 of this year,
manufacturers report having shipped approximately 155.3 million doses of
flu vaccine.
Pharmacies and stores see uptick in flu vaccinations.
The share of adults receiving the flu vaccine at pharmacies or stores
was 28.2 percent in 2017, up from 24.3 percent in 2016. The doctorâs
office remains the most popular location to receive the flu shot, with
64.6 percent of children and 34.7 percent of adults receiving the
vaccine in this setting.
Place Of Flu Vaccination (%) For Children And Adults
Changes to quality reporting offer an opportunity to suppliers. As
part of its annual Medicare reimbursement update, the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services has included influenza immunization as a
measure for several providersâ quality reporting programs. If providers
fail to report on these measures, their Medicare payments may be cut.
While this provides an opportunity for distributors who carry the flu
vaccine and related supplies, the Trump Administrationâs efforts to
reduce regulatory burdens may remove immunization measures from some
providersâ reporting in the future.
The insights contained in the 2018 report cover demand trends and
useful customer information. HIDA will continue to monitor vaccine and
medical product demand as part of its efforts to strengthen the
healthcare supply chain and foster effective responses to infectious
disease.
To download your copy of the flu report, visit www.HIDA.org/FluBrief. Feel free to contact us at HIDAGovAffairs@HIDA.org if you have any questions or would like more information.
From http://www.repertoiremag.com/insights-for-the-2018-19-flu-season.html