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July 12, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Vaccine Shortage Over, CDC Says"

Los Angeles Times (www.latimes.com) (07/12/02) P. 22; Kay, Liz F.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday that the shortages of two childhood vaccines are over. Two vaccines--one against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, and the other against measles, mumps, and rubella--have been in short supply in the United States since 2000.  The CDC, which noted that no outbreaks were reported nationally as a result of the low vaccine stocks, said that physicians can now resume scheduled booster shots for toddlers and preschoolers that had been delayed because of the shortage.  Several factors contributed to the shortage, including manufacturer upgrades to facilities and a shortage of the tetanus component of the DTaP vaccine.  The CDC's Curtis Allen noted that as doctors and hospitals are still receiving the renewed supplies, some may not be fully stocked for a few weeks.  He also said that shortages of the varicella vaccine should be alleviated by the end of the month or early August, while the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that protects against childhood pneumonia and meningitis may not be available until the end of the year.

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