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April 8, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"NIP Says U.S. May Be in for More Vaccine Shortages, as Others Ease" Infectious Diseases in Children (www.idinchildren.com) (03/02) Vol. 15, No. 3, P. 64; Bechtel, Bryan

Merck warns that some of its vaccines--including the Haemophilus influenzae type b, the Hib-hepatitis B combination, the hepatitis B, varicella, and the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)--will be in short supply following the closure of its Pennsylvania-based manufacturing facility after the Food and Drug Administration found suboptimal sterility conditions.  Concerns that the shortages could decrease immunization levels and cost states more money to remind parents to bring their children back for vaccines they missed during the shortage highlights the need for a national immunization registry where immunizations of each child are tracked to determine which child has missed dosages, says Task Force for Child Survival and Development senior consultant for public health programs Alan R. Hinman.  The varicella shortage, which has dropped to almost 50 percent of what is required, is expected to be the most severe; doctors are urged to prioritize immunizations and delay shots until children are 18 months old.

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