The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a news teleconference Thursday to provide an update on the availability of influenza vaccines across the country, with special attention focused on the difficulties physicians have faced this season. Dr. Julie Gerberding, CDC Director, hosted the conference that included more than 400 national news and healthcare related agencies. She said at least 71 million doses have already been distributed nationwide, and they expect that number to be closer to 81 million by the end of November. Dr. Gerberding acknowledged shortages on the local level and the fact that physician practices are “having trouble” getting vaccine supplies, especially if ordering from Chiron Corp. “The vast majority of flu vaccine is in the private sector and we have very little capacity to move vaccine around. So what we are doing is preparing our own stockpile of vaccine, getting about 800,000 doses of vaccine from Chiron at the end of November, and we'll use those doses to help offset shortages in communities where there is no one with vaccine available,” Gerberding said. “So in those locations where the clinics have been closed and the doctors don't have vaccine, CDC will be able to offer a little bit of help and potentially even more help in December.” The complete transcript of the teleconference can be read at http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t051110.htm