The Centers for Disease Control have teamed up with flu vaccine manufacturer

Aventis Pasteur to distribute the remaining 14.2 million doses of the vaccine

across the nation.

Over the next six to eight weeks, the vaccine will be given directly to

high-priority providers including hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing

homes, and private providers who care for young children.

Because of a shortage due to problems with another manufacturer, flu vaccine

is in short supply this year, and officials at public health clinics are

limiting the vaccinations to those who could suffer the most if they contract

the flu. Those groups include:

- Children ages 6-23 months.

- Adults ages 65 and over.

- Persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions.

- All women who will be pregnant during flu season.

- Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

- Children on chronic aspirin therapy.

- Health care workers with direct patient care.

- Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts.

The current plan to distribute the medicine to high-priority providers helps

insure the vaccine gets to those who need it most, said CDC Director Dr.

Julie Gerberding.

"This is a troubling, frustrating situation for all of us and we need

for all Americans to pull together in the weeks to come to meet this challenge

head on," she said. "This plan is the result of unprecedented collaboration

between CDC, Aventis Pasteur and state and local health departments across

the country. And we must not forget the other public health heroes on the

front lines in grocery stores, pharmacies and health clinics working to prioritize

vaccine."

After the high-priority shipment, the remaining 8.2 million doses will be

distributed to other high-need areas.

Aventis Pasteur U.S. President Damian Braga said the goal has been to direct

the remaining doses as quickly as possible to areas where large numbers of

at-risk individuals are in need.

"It is a huge logistical feat and we are proud to have contributed

our knowledge and expertise to the plan," Braga said.