How much influenza vaccine supply is currently out there in Oregon as of today's receipt of shipment?
As of November 1, 2006, Oregon has received 802,220 doses of influenza vaccine, which is estimated to be 75+ percent of the total expected this year. (See attached table of distribution by provider type).

The weekly influenza vaccine update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet been posted for November 8, 2006.

What is the timeline (when) for those – like from small clinics -- that have ordered vaccine and not yet received it?
The vaccine distribution system is left to market forces and the state, unfortunately, has no control over vaccine distribution except in the case of dire emergencies.

What we've heard clearly from all manufacturers of inactivated influenza vaccine is that all orders will be complete by the first 2 weeks of December. Flumist is being shipped immediately upon order receipt.

Why is it that Safeway and Costco have flu vaccine but the small time providers who often serve loyal and elderly clients can't get theirs?
This depends on who orders (type of business, whether they have existing contracts in place), whom they order from (distributor or manufacturer or third party - e.g. local pharmacy), quantity ordered, previous history as a customer, presentation ordered (multidose vials vs. prefilled syringes, etc.).

There are currently eight different presentations for influenza vaccine, and manufacturers generally complete all doses of one presentation then shut down to reconfigure the manufacturing process, and then begin the manufacturing of the next presentation.

For instance, if you ordered prefilled .5ml syringes from Sanofi (directly, not through a distribution company or pharmacy), you probably received most if not all of your order before November. If you ordered multidose vials from either Sanofi or Novartis, depending on the quantity ordered and the source of the purchase, you probably received only a partial shipment. Sanofi multidose vials and pediatric syringes are some of the last to be produced.

Most customers (private and public alike) are receiving their orders in stages. It may appear that large customers (like hospitals, corporate immunizers like Safeway and Costco) are being prioritized for shipment, but all manufacturers guarantee us that this is not the case.