Flu Vaccine Shortage

SAN FRANCISCO - Marketers peddling products from cold remedies to surgical masks are bracing for a potential consumer rush from the sudden flu vaccine shortage. They're preparing for a repeat of spring 2003, when consumers armed themselves against an epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, the flu-like disease without a vaccine.
Marketers were spurred by Tuesday's announcement that about 46 million flu vaccine doses - half the USA's supply - won't arrive because maker Chiron's British factory was shut after contamination problems.
Health authorities still say the best flu prevention is a vaccine - especially for high-risk groups such as seniors or those with chronic health problems. For all others, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised frequent hand washing and avoiding contact with people showing symptoms.

Companies ready for a sales boost:

> Cold and flu remedies. Hyland's, which launched its Complete Flu Care flu remedy in June, just doubled its flu season sales forecast to as much as $1 million. The Los Angeles firm expected a sales boost after last year's flu vaccine shortage. Still, says CEO J.P. Borneman, "This is much more catastrophic than we anticipated."

In Philadelphia, Boiron USA is rushing video news releases to 2,000 TV stations - three months ahead of schedule - promoting alternatives such as its Oscillo brand flu symptom medicine.

Airborne in Carmel, Calif., added eight temporary workers to handle a surge of online and phone orders, at $6.99 for a box of 10 of its cold remedy tablets. Many orders are from retailers and consumers mentioning the vaccine shortage. Airborne added a second shift to its Midwestern factory and plans another shift in 10 days.

> Hand cleaners. Gojo Industries, maker of Purell liquid hand sanitizer, is prepared to boost production at two U.S. factories. It had a surge in orders last year amid the SARS epidemic. "History would suggest we would see an increase" this year, says Vice President Sandy Katz.

> Mask distributors. AnyMask, an online merchant of masks in Ashburn, Va., sold a case of 500 surgical masks to one consumer Wednesday. It typically sells one case a month. Owner Bryan Kerrigan is now watching orders more closely. AnyMask sold 500 cases as news of SARS spread last spring. "We couldn't keep enough surgical masks in stock," he says.

Still, mask manufacturer Safety Zone in Essex, Conn., cautioned that respirator masks guard more against flu. Respirators, unlike surgical masks, block viruses better by completely covering the mouth and nose, says general manager Mike Coyle.