Distribution anomalies hinder access to flu vaccine in the US

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that everyone in the United States, except for babies under six months old, should be vaccinated against influenza.

In September, the CDC had advised that the vaccine be reserved until 24 October for people who were particularly vulnerable to complications from the flu, including people 65 years old or more, children aged six to 23 months, people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, and anyone caring for sick people or children younger than six months of age. All in all, this group comprises some 88 million people, according to 2003-2004 population estimates. …