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Gov: Flu Vaccine System Needs Overhaul

Persistent Delays Putting Priority Groups At Risk

Sunday, Oct 25, 2009 | Updated 12:30 PM EST

Jodi Hernandez

Gov. Rell is calling for an overhaul of the vaccine distribution system.

Governor M. Jodi Rell is calling on the federal officials to overhaul the swine and seasonal flu vaccine system, saying persistent delays are putting priority groups at risk.

"The production and distribution of both the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines need to be expedited, especially as we move further into this year's flu season," Governor Rell said in an October 23 letter to U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Rell said she understands the system is overwhelmed by the unprecedented rush to get vaccinated this season, but HHS has fallen short in sending states, including Connecticut, the number of vaccines they were projected to receive.

According to a statement from Rell's office, HHS informed the state Department of Health in July that Connecticut would be receiving about 500,000 H1N1 vaccines by mid-October. But, the state has only received 127,600 doses of the vaccine.

The Governor told Secretary Sebelius that the current system needs to be examined closely to prevent future shortages and delays. She said implementing changes now will protect the population against further threats posed by illness.

Updates from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicate that 82 million of the 114 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine have been distributed nationally.