The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there are now 22.4 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine available, which represents an increase of about 8 million in the past week, up 56.3%. CDC Director Thomas Frieden said more vaccine is on the way, but he would not say whether the CDC expects to meet its revised estimate of having about 30 million doses available by month's end. Initially, the Atlanta-based organization said it expected there to be 40 million doses available by late October, but later said production delays would result in about 25% fewer doses.
“Significantly more vaccine is becoming available—within the next couple of weeks it will seem more widespread,” Frieden said in answer to questions. “The big increase this week translates into more vaccine in the community and increasingly widespread availability after that.”
Frieden also said the virus has not changed in a way that would suggest it has become more deadly, and there has been no change in which age groups are affected by it. According to Frieden, it's important that providers, schools and healthcare facilities give the vaccine they have, rather than reserve it. “We have to work hard to ensure that what is available is given,” Frieden said.
