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March 16, 2001
“Notice to Readers: Update on the Supply of Tetanus and Diphtheria
Toxoids and of Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine” Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report (www.cdc.gov/mmwr)
(03/16/01) Vol. 50, No. 10, P. 189
Toward the latter portion of 2000, the U.S. Public Health
Service learned of a growing shortage of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td)
and tetanus toxoid (TT) available for distribution. Matters worsened in January 2001, when Wyeth Lederle announced
that it would no longer be making tetanus toxoid-containing products, leaving
Aventis Pasteur as the only remaining distributor of Td and TT with the
exception of the University of Massachusetts, which produces a small amount of
Td for local distribution. Shortages,
which were originally expected to be over by early 2001, are now expected to
continue an additional 12 to 18 months.
Priority will be given to clinics and hospitals that treat acute wounds. Meanwhile, Wyeth Lederle has abandoned other
efforts as well, joining Baxter Hyland Immuno Vaccines in discontinuing the manufacture
of acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP).
Aventis Pasteur and Glaxo SmithKline will now be the sole producers of DTaP,
which is administered in a five-dose series: three doses given at two, four,
and six months of age, and boosters given between 15 and 18 months and between
four and six years.
ALL
INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR
GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE
KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED
AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR 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.