Taking a Streamlined Approach to Influenza Vaccine Distribution - By: My Flu7 Vaccine7

Healthcare providers face a number of uncertainties each year when it comes to distribution of influenza vaccine. Distribution often takes place in a phased fashion spanning a number of months — beginning in late summer for some manufacturers and sometimes completing as late as November or early December. This phased influenza vaccine distribution model can leave healthcare professionals in a quandary, uncertain if their vaccine will arrive in time for their flu clinics.

The CDC website notes that most manufacturers and distributors attempt to complete at least a portion of requested influenza vaccine distribution early in the season, so that clinics can begin vaccinating high-risk patients (people 50 years of age and older or those with chronic health conditions) and their household contacts. But until recently, influenza vaccine purchasers have been burdened with uncertainties about quantities and delivery dates.

In 2006, FFF Enterprises, the nation’s largest and most trusted influenza vaccine distributor, launched an innovative program titled MyFluVaccine (www.MyFluVaccine.com) in an effort to streamline the distribution process. Unlike the traditional influenza vaccine distribution system, with its uncertain delivery dates and quantities, MyFluVaccine gives healthcare providers the ability to choose the exact date they wish to receive their flu vaccine with the certainty of knowing it will arrive on time.

“Traditionally, healthcare providers have been at the mercy of suppliers and distributors about when their flu vaccine order will be delivered and if the quantity will be what they ordered,” explains Patrick M. Schmidt, chief executive officer, FFF Enterprises. “This unpredictability created many challenges to a successful clinic, including planning difficulties, storage issues and a potential inability to educate and vaccinate patients in a timely manner.”

“Our customers told us that they would often lose patients to whatever facility received its vaccine first,” adds Chris Ground, senior vice president, FFF Enterprises. “MyFluVaccine gives these providers the ability to select specific delivery dates for their vaccine, which allows them to plan vaccination clinics with the confidence of knowing their flu vaccine will arrive on time. It’s revolutionized the industry.”

Of course, even with precision ordering and delivery, purchasers still face the risk of having unused vaccine left over at the end of the season. In response, FFF Enterprises factored the first-of-its-kind 100% Return Guarantee for Norvartis Vaccines’ Fluvirin® product into its ordering process this year, which removes yet another barrier for healthcare providers concerned about overestimating demand and being left with excess inventory at the end of flu vaccination season.

In addition to its easy ordering portal, the MyFluVaccine website provides news, updates, resources and clinic planning tools. There are special informative sections for consumers and employer groups, as well as providers. FFF has also produced a “Flu Vaccine Myths & Facts” brochure that is downloadable as a PDF from the website, or as a printed booklet that healthcare providers can order for their patients.

With the 2009-2010 flu vaccine ordering season already in full swing, healthcare providers are encouraged to place their vaccine orders now. For more information, visit www.MyFluVaccine.com.

Healthcare providers face a number of uncertainties each year when it comes to distribution of influenza vaccine. Distribution often takes place in a phased fashion spanning a number of months — beginning in late summer for some manufacturers and sometimes completing as late as November or early December. This phased influenza vaccine distribution model can leave healthcare professionals in a quandary, uncertain if their vaccine will arrive in time for their flu clinics.

My Flu Vaccine is author of this article on Influenza vaccine distribution.
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