Prepping for the 2006-2007 flu season

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has issued an updated set of influenza recommendations for the coming influenza season (MMWR "Recommendations and Reports," July 28). Principal changes from last year include:

Speaking of the possibility of a flu vaccine shortage: The Food and Drug Administration has approved four manufacturers' formulation of a flu vaccine for the 2006-2007 flu season. Those four (GlaxoSmithKline, Chiron, MedImmune, and Sanofi Pasteur) report that they expect to produce a total of 100 million doses for the coming season. But, as the FDA said in a statement, that projection could change as manufacturing continues.