EDITORIAL: A Second Shot: Leftover Flu Vaccine Has Plenty of Uses, Shouldn't Be Destroyed

Mar 29, 01:16 PM

Current Headlines: By The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

Mar. 29--Just a few years ago, the United States experienced a major shortage of flu vaccine. But despite that, more than 10 million doses will be destroyed at the end of June.

Standard operating procedure has been for the Food and Drug Administration to set an expiration date of June 30 for influenza vaccine. But the vaccine does not go bad on or around that date, and it can remain stable for a couple more years. The date is to ensure that the old vaccine is gone before a new one comes out, so patients get the vaccine that is tailored to the forms of the disease expected in the upcoming flu season.

The intention is good, but there are plenty of uses for the 10 million or so doses that are headed for oblivion this year. The leftovers could be donated to a country that cannot afford vaccines. Or they could be used in this country to vaccinate travelers or children who need a summer booster. The doses also could be kept on hand in case next season's flu is similar to the previous season's. Or they could be stockpiled in case there's another shortage, as there was in 2004.

Flu vaccines are designed to attack three influenza strains, and usually the changes from year to year in influenza are very small. Often, only one strain changes, and sometimes, they don't change at all. So this expired vaccine could do some good in the world.

The FDA should rethink its policy.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio

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