Prefer Half-Dose Influenza Vaccine in view of the shortage of the vaccine

From a public health standpoint, it would be better to vaccinate many people with lower doses than fewer people with full doses when vaccine supplies are scarce, said Padma Shri Awardee Dr A M Pillai National President and Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal Honorary Secretary General IMA.

A study published in 2009 in Archives of Internal Medicine has shown that half dose flu shots are effective in adults, especially in women and those younger than 50, and offer a viable way to stretch supplies during vaccine shortages.

Earlier in June 2000, a NIAID conducted trial, published in journal Vaccine concluded that the immune responses to the full dose were higher, on average, than immune responses to the half dose vaccine but should a public health emergency arise, half-dose influenza vaccines for healthy adults might be an acceptable strategy if the vaccine supply is substantially limited.