Title: Vaccine crisis: some issues in technology and national healthcare policy

Authors: Ryan Hrejsa, Stephanie Sauve, Pam Stella, Eliezer Geisler

Addresses: Stuart Graduate School of Business, Illinois Institute of Technology, 565 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60661, USA. ' Stuart Graduate School of Business, Illinois Institute of Technology, 565 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60661, USA. ' Stuart Graduate School of Business, Illinois Institute of Technology, 565 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60661, USA. ' Stuart Graduate School of Business, Illinois Institute of Technology, 565 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60661, USA

Abstract: This paper describes the events and the causes leading to the influenza vaccine shortage of 2004. We analyse the factors that impinged upon this phenomenon, including the unpredictability of the disease outbreak, the supply of vaccine and the distribution of patients. The paper also examines the rationing of healthcare delivery in the form of vaccine distribution and discusses this action in view of the US national health policy. The paper addresses four possible avenues for action that may assist in preventing another shortage.

Keywords: health policy; influenza; vaccines; national health planning; national health priorities; rationing; United States; USA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2006.010410

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2006 Vol.7 No.6, pp.453 - 462

Published online: 20 Jul 2006 *

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