NBC talks to MPH’s Schaffner about $1.6 billion effort to prevent the flu this season
The process of putting the flu vaccine together begins in February, when the World Health Organization determines which strains of the virus should be included, based on what's circulating around the globe. Dr. William Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, explains that "flu is fickle. Last season was unusual because not only did we have one strain of influenza that caused almost all of the reported flu cases, but it was different — it had mutated — so it was different than the strain that was represented in the vaccine."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said manufacturers are distributing more flu vaccine in the U.S. than ever: a projected 171 million to 179 million doses this year.
That's up from 147.8 million distributed last year, amounting to $1.61 billion in revenue, according to industry researcher IMS Health. Globally, manufacturer CSL estimates the market for influenza vaccines at $4 billion.