Credit CDC PHIL
#15,472
Although developing a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine in record time is a huge scientific challenge, the logistics of getting it into the arms of billions of people around the world in a timely fashion - in the middle of a pandemic - may prove even more challenging.
Complicating matters, it isn't known whether first time recipients will need one - or two - shots, or how long protection from the vaccine might last.
A global vaccination campaign of this scale has never been attempted, and even if things were to go exceedingly well, it is likely to turn into multi-year endeavor.
The reality is, for many people of the world, a COVID vaccine is likely a year or more away.
Although it pales in comparison, the closest thing we have today is the yearly seasonal flu vaccination campaign, and even last year - before COVID-19 emerged - we saw shortages and manufacturing delays (see Taiwan CDC Expands Access To Influenza Antivirals Due To Vaccine Delay), with many countries not receiving shipments until November or even early December.
Earlier this year, we saw warnings in the UK that GPs look set to face 'unprecedented' flu vaccine shortages again this year, and that GPs will not receive third of flu vaccine stock from key supplier until November.
Earlier this week, UK High Street pharmacy giant Boots announced a shortage of flu vaccine (see Boots suspends flu jabs amid coronavirus and issues statement to shoppers), stating:
Boots UK Suspends New Bookings for its Flu Vaccination Services
“We know that this year, our customers have been more conscious than ever about protecting the health of themselves and their families, and protecting against flu has been front of mind for many of us.
“As a result, we have seen more people than ever booking early to get their flu vaccinations, and due to the level of demand and limited stock that we have available, we made the decision to pause taking any new bookings for our private and NHS under 65s Flu Vaccination Services earlier this week.
“Since then, we have been closely monitoring our stock levels of the vaccination recommended by the NHS for patients aged 65 and over, and can confirm that today we have also closed for new bookings for these vaccinations too. This is to make sure we can vaccinate the patients who have already booked their appointment with us.”
Boots UK Spokesperson
Other countries have reported delays in flu vaccine deliveries, and while the United States appears to have an ample supply, spot shortages are being reported at some pharmacies here as well.
Minnesota's WCCO-TV reported yesterday ‘Unprecedented Demand’ For Flu Shots Causing Shortage, while KETV-7 in Omaha, Nebraska reports High demand for flu vaccine puts strain on distribution companies.
Meanwhile, overnight Reuters is reporting:
Some northern hemisphere countries struggling to source more flu vaccines: WHO
25 SEPTEMBER 2020
GENEVA (Reuters) - Some northern hemisphere countries are having trouble obtaining additional flu vaccines amid increased demand, but health workers and the elderly should be prioritised in case of any shortages, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
We'll have to see how things work out over the next 30 to 60 days.
Typically, about half of all Americans (160 million) get the flu shot every year, and the vast majority only require a single dose. A COVID-19 vaccination campaign - when it is launched - would require anywhere to two to four times as many vaccinations.
Hopefully, things will run smoothly with this fall's flu vaccine campaign, but even if it doesn't, what we learn from could be critical for successfully deploying COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 or beyondTwo months ago, I suggested that this fall's flu vaccination campaign was particularly important because it would be our last, best opportunity to test our vaccine delivery system under genuine pandemic conditions, and to identify - and hopefully eliminate - as many points of failure as possible.
