title: Preventing influenza: vaccine systems and practices in the Southeast.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine from state and local health departments: (1) how they purchase, distribute, and fund influenza vaccine; (2) whether they experienced a shortage in 2003/04; (3) how the shortages were handled; and (4) how they prepared for distribution in 2004/05.
  
  
  METHODS
  A web-based survey was completed from June to August 2004 in eight Southeastern states.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data were obtained from each state and 222 local health departments. Major differences between and within states were found with regard to purchasing, distributing, and funding influenza vaccine. Although the majority of health departments experienced periods of shortages in 2003/2004, surpluses of vaccine remained at the end of the season. There was little evidence of interaction between the public and private sectors to share vaccine resources in response to shortages. Tracking systems for redistribution of vaccine or follow-up were often not in place. Entering the 2004/05 season, 25% of states and 11% of counties were not developing any special procedures to deal with shortages beyond what was in place earlier.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Better systems and funding are needed, especially for adult influenza vaccine delivery and for redistribution of influenza vaccine in response to shortages.
authors.affiliation: Emory Center on Health Outcomes and Quality, Dept. of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory Univ., 1518 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. jagazma@sph.emory.edu
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gazmararian
authors.forename: Walter A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Orenstein
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wortley
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Buehler
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elon
authors.forename: Jeffrey P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Koplan
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schild
authors.forename: Tonya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Stephens
mesh_terms: D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013219:State Government
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines