Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc.,
Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for
Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at
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August 7, 2002
U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS
"States Relax Child Vaccine Rules as Medicine Cabinets Grow Bare"
Wall Street Journal Online ( www.wsj.com ) (08/07/02); Spencer,
Jane
As a way to cope with the nation's depleted vaccine stockpile,
many states are lowering immunization requirements for returning
students. Though the vaccine shortage officially ended in July,
many school systems are trying to make up for lost time and are
issuing emergency reminders for children who may have missed
shots during the shortfall to get vaccinated. Given that as many
as 19 million American children under the age of five years could
fit into this category, states admit they probably will not be
able to get every child to meet the immunization standards before
school opens. In light of this, state health officials have
approved emergency exceptions to immunization laws. For example,
Texas, Kansas, Minnesota and Missouri have waived the requirement
for teenagers in need of tetanus booster shots, while Indiana is
making concessions for students who need vaccination shots for
measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, and whooping cough. To help
prevent future shortages, U.S. officials are investigating ways
to create safeguards in the vaccine supply chain, such as having
the federal government stock a six-month supply of all vaccines,
increasing government involvement in vaccine production, and
encouraging drug firms to enter the market.
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LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.