U.S. A/H1N1 flu vaccine supply reaches 111 million doses

HOUSTON, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The supply of A/H1N1 flu vaccine has reached more than 100 million doses in the U.S., a high-ranking health official announced on Tuesday.

"As of today, about 111 million doses of H1N1 vaccine have become available for order by the states," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during an afternoon press conference.

"The H1N1 vaccine supply is getting better and better," she added.

During the past two months, limited supply of vaccine caused the CDC to advise state and local health officials to reserve doses for the targeted group, which includes pregnant women, children and young adults, health-care workers and people with asthma and certain other health problems.

"Initial doses of vaccine were relatively quickly taken up and they were going to the people that they were targeted for," Dr. Schuchat confirmed.

"Vaccine is becoming available in more and more places and at more and more times," she said. "It's a really good time (for general public) to be vaccinated in the weeks ahead."

The U.S. Government ordered 251 million doses of A/H1N1 flu vaccine, and most states now offer the vaccine to people of all ages. While the shots and nasal sprays are paid for by the U.S. government, clinics can charge a fee around 20 dollars to administer them.

With 111 million doses now available, experts believe that it should be widely available in doctors' offices, public health departments, drug stores, and even shopping malls during the upcoming traditional holiday seasons.